By Miracle Ogunde
The Federal Government will hold talks with labour leaders today in an attempt to prevent the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its civil society allies from proceeding with a nationwide protest scheduled for tomorrow against the 50 per cent increase in telecommunications tariffs.
A source within the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), which will host the meeting, confirmed that discussions are set to begin at 5 pm.
According to Vanguard, the meeting will also address the NLC’s opposition to the government’s N8 billion budgetary allocation for electricity bill sensitisation, which the labour movement has criticised as wasteful and corrupt.
The source described the talks as a “dialogue on matters of national interest as it affects Nigerian workers,” adding that it will be an inter-ministerial meeting led by the SGF. The primary aim is to resolve concerns raised by the NLC regarding the federal government’s recent upward adjustment of telecommunications tariffs, which has drawn strong opposition from the labour movement and its allies.
“The meeting will also discuss the N8 billion proposed budgetary allocation in 2025 for electricity bill sensitisation by the federal government. And because there are other meetings already fixed by the government for Monday, the meeting had to be fixed for 5 pm after the FEC meeting,’’ the source stated.
Sources within the NLC indicated that its leaders would attend the meeting to hear the government’s position but maintained their firm stance against the 50 per cent increase in telecom tariffs.
Last Thursday, the NLC had written to its affiliate unions and state councils, urging them to mobilise workers and allies for the protest.
In a separate letter dated 30 January to affiliate unions and state councils, NLC General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, called for broader mobilisation, encouraging Nigerians to send a strong message to the government.
The letter to state councils stated: “In response to the resolution of the meeting of the National Administrative Council, NAC, to resist the proposed 50% hike in the tariff of telecommunication services and all other forms of policies that afflict Nigerian workers and masses, all state councils of the Nigeria Labour Congress, 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 Tuesday, February 4, 2025, by 7:00 am. You are expected to coordinate 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.”
Similarly, the letter to affiliate unions stated: “In response to the decision of the National Administrative Council’s resolution to resist the proposed hike in the tariff of telecommunication services and all forms of policies that afflict Nigerian workers and masses; all industrial unions affiliated to the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, are requested to begin immediate mobilisation of their members across the nation for a one-day peaceful protest rally.
“The rally shall take place in various state capitals across the nation and Abuja on Tuesday the 4th of February, 2025, by 7:00 am.”
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