Telecoms masts
The fifty percent hike in telecoms tariff can not be justified by any stretch of imagination.
That the federal government through the National Communications Commission okayed the hike sounds a conspiratorial note on the part of both the NCC and telecoms companies to further subject the citizens to untold hardship given the economic difficulties the people are already facing owing to the poor economic choices of same government.
NATIONAL WAVES cannot but agree with proponents of the view that the current administration is out to punish ordinary citizens in its zeal to satisfy big capital and corporate greed.
It’s looking more and more like this administration is out to literally squeeze Nigerians to death as a directive principle of state policy otherwise there’s no basis for agreeing to the greed-tinged demand by telecoms operators for a hike when extant services are nothing to write home about.
It’s looking more like Nigeria is becoming a society where corporate greed, governmental incompetence and lack of feelings for suffering citizens is the norm.
The Tinubu administration has not been a friend the citizens need but the enemy they would rather didn’t have.
Already, opposition to the planned 50 per cent tariffs hike has gathered more momentum with the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, baying for blood, as it has written to its affiliate unions and state councils to ensure total mobilization of workers and allies ahead of the February 4, nationwide mass protest against the planned tariffs hike.
In a related development, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has notified the Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC, of its pending suit challenging the government’s decision to give approval for an increase in telecommunications tariff by 50 per cent.
This came on the heels of observation by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, LCCI, that the hike will place additional burdens on low-income earners, noting, however, that it will offer necessary relief to operators.
But the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Related Institutions, NASU, umbrella body for pro-workers civil society organisation, Joint Action Front, JAF, and the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, yesterday, implored Nigerians to join the February 4, planned protest, asking Nigerians to fully participate in any other action aimed at resisting the planned tariff hike.
However, NCC said it will engage NLC, SERAP, National Association of Telecom Subscribers in Nigeria, NATCOMS, and to explain the reasons for the price adjustment.
Meanwhile, the NLC, in separate letters dated January 30, to affiliate unions and state councils, through its General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, urged them to also mobilise other Nigerians to send a serious message to the government.
The letter reads: “In response to a resolution of the meeting of the National Administrative Council, NAC, to resist the proposed 50 per cent hike in the tariff of telecommunication services and all other forms of policies that afflict Nigerian workers and masses, all state councils of NLC are directed to begin immediate mobilisation of members of their councils in their respective states for a one-day peaceful protest rally.
“The rally shall take place in various state capitals and FCT on February 4, 2025, by 7a.m. You are expected to co-ordinate all affiliates in your states and work with volunteering civil society partners resident in your state for effective rally.
“The rally procession should lead to any NCC office in the state, where not available, to the state House of Assembly where our petition will be presented. Further developments shall be made available.
“At this time of massive hardship, your unwavering support and determination is critical to defending ourselves and nation from policies that emasculate us for the benefit of corporate fat cats.”
