The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has forced the Federal Government to reduce telecommunications tariff hike from 50 percent to 35 percent.
Chronicle NG gathered that the reduction followed a meeting of the 10-man committee comprising government and NLC representatives at the office of the National Security Adviser, NSA, on Friday, February 21, 2025.
According to reports, the meeting started around 4 pm and ended about 7 pm, where NLC representatives insisted that the tariff hike must be withdrawn.
Sources informed Chronicle NG that after much pressure from NLC representatives in the 10-man committee, the government and NCC buckled and agreed on a 15 percent reduction.
It will be recalled that NLC had on February 12 expressed outrage over the hike in tariff by telecommunications companies despite an earlier agreement reached with the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, and demanded an immediate reversal of the hike to avoid unpleasant consequences.
According to NLC, “If the telecommunications companies fail to revert to the old tariff by the end of February 2025, a total shutdown of their operations nationwide will commence from March 1, 2025.”
NLC leaders urged workers and citizens to boycott MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO services between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM until the end of February 2025 as a first step in resisting the arbitrary tariff hike.
NLC leaders issued a communique at the conclusion of their Central Working Committee, CWC, meeting in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Tuesday, February 11, urging workers and citizens to halt the purchase of data from telecommunications companies, which has also become one of their most effective tools for exploiting Nigerians.
The communique reads, “The CWC of the NLC was convened in Lokoja, Kogi State, Tuesday, February 11, 2025, to deliberate on pressing national issues, including the 50 percent telecommunications tariff hike, the proposed Tax Reform Bills, and the rollout of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered buses for the North Central Zone of Nigeria.
“The CWC received with grave concern the news that telecommunications companies have commenced the implementation of a 50 percent tariff hike today (February 11), despite an earlier agreement reached with the Federal Government and the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
“It was recalled that a 10-man committee had been constituted to deliberate on the matter within two weeks and report back before any final decision would be made on the new telecom tariff structure.
“The CWC strongly condemns this action by the telecommunications companies, describing it as a betrayal of trust, an affront to the principles of negotiation, and a direct slap on the government and its institutions and a disdain for Nigerian people.
“CWC-in-session believes that this is a further demonstration of regulatory capture and impotence in the midst of corporate onslaught and the continuing abandonment of workers and masses to corporate fat cats by the government.
“This unwarranted and premature tariff hike demands an immediate response from our collective resolve since the government clearly favors the rich against the people.
“The CWC demands an immediate reversal of the tariff hike, which took effect today (February 11), and insists that the companies revert to the previous tariff until the committee completes its deliberations and reaches a conclusive agreement.
“As a first step in resisting this arbitrary tariff hike, the CWC has directed that, beginning Thursday, February 13, 2025, Nigerian workers and other willing citizens shall boycott the services of MTN, AIRTEL, and GLO daily between 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM until the end of February 2025.
“All workers and citizens are urged to suspend the purchase of data from these companies, which has also become one of their greatest tools for exploiting Nigerian citizens.
“We also demand the repatriation of all funds siphoned out of the country by these companies.
“If the telecommunications companies fail to revert to the old tariff by the end of February 2025, a total
The shutdown of their operations nationwide will commence from March 1, 2025.
“All NLC State Councils are directed to commence immediate sensitization and mobilization of their members and the general public within their jurisdictions.
“All NLC affiliate unions are requested to mobilize their members across the country to observe electronic silence during the designated hours.
“We implore all of our civil society allies and other interested stakeholders to join us in making this action effective.”
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")
