Kehinde Fajobi
The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria has praised the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for suspending its planned protest over the 50 per cent increase in telecommunications tariffs.
Secretary-General of the association, Mr Abdullahi Okonu, spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Tuesday.
He expressed support for the NLC’s decision, highlighting the association’s understanding of sector challenges. According to Okonu, rising operational costs necessitated the tariff increase.
“The only logical thing is for the government to allow us to increase the tariff in order to meet up with the cost of running business and, at the same time, make profits,” he said.
He also warned that the increase was vital to prevent the collapse of the telecommunications industry and safeguard jobs in the sector.
“We do not want a situation where workers in the private telecommunications sector will lose their jobs,” Okonu added.
“Where companies are struggling to meet up with running costs, the first thing they will look at is how to reduce their overhead costs by sacking workers, which we do not want.”
The union leader further stressed that the telecommunications sector’s failure could have far-reaching negative impacts on other industries.
Meanwhile, Mrs Funmi Sessi, Chairman of the NLC Lagos State Council, confirmed the suspension of the protest.
She stated the NLC had mobilised its members for the demonstration but decided to hold off after a productive meeting with the Federal Government.
“We appeal to the government to alleviate the financial burden of Nigerians,” Sessi said.
The NLC and the Federal Government agreed to negotiate further and resolve the matter within two weeks.