FG, NLC set up 10-man committee to review telecom tariff hike

The Federal Government has met with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to discuss the recent 50% increase in telecommunication tariffs imposed by the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) and set up a 10-man committee to review the recent hike in tariff.

Director, Information & Public Relations in the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Mr Seguin Imohiosen, in a press release on Monday, stated that the meeting, which took place at the request of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, was aimed at maintaining industrial peace and safeguarding the interests of Nigerians.

Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, spoke on behalf of the Federal Government. He explained that the meeting’s purpose was to examine the study conducted by the NCC, which led to the tariff hike.

Following thorough discussions, both parties agreed to form a 10-person committee. This committee will include five members from the Federal Government and five from the NLC. Their task is to review the study and present a report within two weeks.

Idris explained, “The summary is that both the NLC and the Federal Government have set up a committee of five members each. We will meet continuously over the next two weeks, and by the end of that period, we will provide recommendations to both the government and organised labour for final consideration.”

NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, stated that the union would wait for the committee’s outcome before deciding on its next steps.

The meeting was attended by key figures, including the Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijanni; Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; NCC Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Aminu Maida; Minister of Labour and Employment, Alhaji Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi; Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu; and National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.