The National Association of Telecommunication Subscribers on Thursday disassociated itself from the industrial action being planned by the Nigeria Labour Congress to protest the telecoms tariff hike.
NATCOMS president Deolu Ogunbanjo said the protest was uncalled for, as it would send wrong signals to investors.
On Monday, the Nigerian Communications Commission released a statement saying it had acceded to the requests of operators to hike tariffs.
The NCC said it had approved a maximal increment of 50 per cent tariff adjustments in response to prevailing operational costs. This resulted in NATCOMS and the NLC condemning the hike, saying the approved percentage was too prohibitive.
The NLC president, Joe Ajaero, condemned the federal government’s 50 per cent telecom tariff hike. Mr Ajaero urged the NCC and the National Assembly to stop the implementation of the tariff hike to allow for a reasonable conversation around it.
He said if the dialogue agreed on the need for the hike, a more humane increase could be sought, but not 50 per cent.
The NLC president, therefore, called on all Nigerian workers and masses to reject the tariff hike while urging citizens to prepare for collective action.
He said that this action included the possibility of a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services to compel the reversal of the punitive increase.
Meanwhile, Mr Ogunbanjo said the civil way to ensure the reversal of the tariff hike was to go to court if all negotiations and consultations prove unsatisfactory.
According to him, this is the path that the NATCOMS has decided to tread if all negotiations fall on deaf ears.
“We do not support the Nigeria Labour Congress’ call for industrial action. No, we don’t! NATCOMS is not in support. To investors and businesses, it is a wrong signal. Negotiation is still ongoing and the tariff hike is in February and we still have eight days.
“We are meeting with the Nigerian Communications Commission to engage them, to convince them, and we will be consulting with NCC tomorrow to map a way forward,’’ he said.
The NCC justified the 50 per cent tariff adjustment by saying it was in response to prevailing operational costs. It said this was less than the 100 per cent demanded by some telecom operators.
Its decision, the NCC said, is pursuant to its power under Section 108 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003 (NCA) to regulate and approve tariff rates and charges by telecommunications operators.
The NCC said that while recognising the public’s concerns, the decision was made after extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the public and private sectors.
It said these adjustments would support the ability of operators to continue investing in infrastructure and innovation, ultimately benefiting consumers through improved services and connectivity.
The NCC added that consumers would benefit from better network quality, enhanced customer service, and greater coverage within the country.
(NAN)