The National Association of Telecommunications Subscribers has distanced itself from the planned industrial action by the Nigeria Labour Congress over the recently approved telecom tariff hike.
In a statement on Thursday, NATCOMS President, Mr. Deolu Ogunbanjo, called the proposed protest unnecessary, cautioning that it could send negative signals to investors.
The Nigerian Communications Commission, the regulator of the telecom industry, recently approved a 50% tariff increase in response to rising operational costs.
This decision followed requests from telecom operators who sought the hike to help cover their growing expenses.
Although the NCC defended the tariff hike as necessary for the sustainability of the industry, both NATCOMS and the NLC condemned the decision, calling it excessive and a significant burden on Nigerian consumers.
The NLC President, Mr. Joe Ajaero, strongly opposed the 50% hike, urging the NCC and the National Assembly to halt its implementation. Ajaero called for a dialogue to find a more reasonable and fair increase.
He urged Nigerian workers and the public to reject the hike, proposing a potential nationwide boycott of telecommunication services as a form of protest.
“This is for our dignity, our rights, and our survival as a people. The NLC remains resolute in defending the interests of Nigerian workers and the masses.
“We will resist this injustice and demand that the government prioritizes the interests of its citizens over corporate interests,” Ajaero stated.
However, Unlike the NLC’s approach, NATCOMS emphasized that negotiation and legal actions were the proper responses to the tariff hike.
“We do not support the Nigerian Labour Congress’ call for industrial action. No, we don’t! NATCOMS is not in support,” Ogunbanjo stated.
“To investors and businesses, it is a wrong signal. Negotiation is still ongoing, and the tariff hike is scheduled for February. We still have eight days,” he added.
Ogunbanjo stated that NATCOMS is in discussions with the NCC to find a resolution and is ready to pursue legal action if the consultations do not yield results.
NATCOMS had previously announced its intention to challenge the NCC’s approval of the 50% tariff hike for telecom operators in court, arguing that the decision was made without sufficient consultation with key stakeholders, including subscribers.
