The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged Nigerians to prepare for a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services in protest against the Federal Government’s recent approval of a 50% increase in telecom tariffs.
In a statement by its president, Joe Ajaero, on Wednesday, the NLC decried the tariff hike, condemning it as an onerous burden on individuals already suffering with economic hardships.
The labour union raised concern about the timing of the hike, citing growing inflation and dwindling purchasing power.
According to the NLC president, communications services have become a basic requirement, with the ordinary Nigerian worker spending almost 10% of their income on telecom charges.
He said, “The Nigeria Labour Congress expresses its unequivocal condemnation of the Federal Government’s recent approval, through the Nigerian Communications Commission, of a 50% increase in telecommunication tariffs.
“This decision, coming at a time when Nigerian workers and the masses are grappling with unprecedented economic hardship, is a clear assault on their welfare and an abandonment of the people to corporate fat cats.
“Telecommunication services are essential for daily communication, work, and access to information. Yet, an average Nigerian worker already spends approximately 10% of their wages on telecom charges.
“For a worker earning the current minimum wage of ₦70,000, this means an increase from ₦7,000 to a staggering ₦10,500 per month, or 15% of his salary—a cost that is unsustainable.”
The NLC president criticised the government for approving tariffs in a month but taking nearly a year to implement the revised minimum wage.
He argued that this demonstrates the government’s bias towards corporate interests over citizens’ welfare.
Jaero said, “This hike exemplifies the government’s apparent ease in prioritising corporate profits over citizens’ welfare.
“We must ask: When will the government stand for the people it swore to protect? When will the National Assembly rise to its responsibility and hold the executive accountable for policies that blatantly undermine the welfare of the majority? When will the common man heave a sigh of relief in Nigeria?”
The NLC boss, however, urged Nigerians to reject the tariff hike and prepare for collective action, including the possibility of a mass boycott of telecommunication services, to compel a reversal of the increase.
“NLC is not opposed to a tariff review but disagrees with the approved rate of increase. “We therefore call on the government, the NCC, and the National Assembly to stop the implementation of this ill-advised hike to allow a reasonable conversation around it.
“If the dialogue agrees on the need for the hike, then we can all seek a more humane increase and definitely not this 50% hike,” Ajaero said.
He added, “The NLC calls on all Nigerian workers and masses to reject this unjustifiable tariff hike. We urge citizens to prepare for collective action, including the possibility of a nationwide boycott of telecommunication services, to compel the reversal of this punitive increase.
“This is for our dignity, our rights, and our survival as a people. The Nigeria Labour Congress remains resolute in defending the interests of Nigerian workers and the masses. We will not allow the people to bear the brunt of policies that further entrench poverty and inequality.
“Together, we will do our best to resist this injustice and demand that the government prioritises the interests of its citizens over corporate interests.”
![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")
