…Urges government to remain faithful to 35% telecom tariff

…Hints on plans to rebrand Labour Party, merge with others

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned against further increase in electricity tariffs, saying that any attempt to announce further electricity tariff increases will be met with mass resistance.

The NLC, in a communique, signed by Joe Ajaero after the Union’s NEC meeting in Yola, the Adamawa state capital on Friday, described plans by the Federal Ministry of Power to migrate of electricity consumers from band B to A, as part of ploy to increase tariff

According to the communique , “NEC unequivocally rejects the ongoing sham reclassification of electricity consumers by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which seeks to forcefully migrate consumers from lower bands to Band A under the guise of service improvement while, in reality, imposing unjustified extortion on the masses.

“This systematic exploitation, sanctioned by the Ministry of Power, is nothing short of economic violence against the working class and broader Nigerian populace.

“It is evident that the ruling elite, acting as enforcers of global monopoly capital, are determined to further deepen the misery of the Nigerian people through incessant tariff hikes, increased taxation, and relentless economic strangulation.

“Whereas inflation has soared, wages remain stagnant, and the cost of living has become unbearable, the ruling class continues to transfer the burden of their fiscal irresponsibility onto the already impoverished working masses.

The NLC therefore , warned “ that any attempt to announce further electricity tariff increases will be met with mass resistance.

“Consequently, the Congress resolves to immediately mobilize for a nationwide protest should the Ministry of Power and NERC proceed with their exploitative plan to further hike electricity tariffs under any guise”.

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The NLC said it shall not stand idly by while the Nigerian people are subjected to the unholy machinations of capitalist profiteers and their state collaborators.

BusinessDay noted that the Adamawa State meeting was used to commission the NLC Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) driven Mass Transit Buses for the North East Zone, as well as deliberate on some pressing national issues.

The labour Union accused the government of waging economic onslaught against Nigerian workers and the downtrodden through the neoliberal policies of some state institutions, with specific reference to the recent hike in telecommunications tariffs and the disturbing plot to further increase electricity tariffs.

Also on the telecom hike, the NLC applauded agreements to reduce the telecom tariff from 50% to 35%, with effect from 1st of March, 2025

“NEC acknowledges the agreement reached on February 21, 2025, between the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the federal government through the Joint 10-Man Committee, which reduced the initially proposed telecommunications tariff hike from 50% to 35%.

It however, said the Congress remains vigilant, recognizing the long history of infidelity.

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“ NEC categorically warns that should the implementation of the agreement on March 1, 2025 not be as agreed, the National Administrative Council (NAC) is mandated to immediately deploy all necessary instruments to enforce compliance in line with the February 10th, 2025 Central Working Committee (CWC) directive”

The NLC, while also addressing the State of the Labour Party, said it has directed the National administrative Council to workout possibilities of rebranding the party and merging with other parties.

“ After carefully examining the unfortunate events in the Labour Party, which was a creation of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the opaqueness that pervades its activities, NEC-in-session directed the National Administrative Council (NAC) to take immediate steps which may include; rebranding, merger or forming of Coalitions to defend the interests of NLC and Nigerian workers in the Party with a view to reclaiming the Party and returning it to its original ideological roots.

The Congress vowed that it will “not allow the Labour Party to be hijacked by reactionary forces who do not represent the aspirations of the working people and broader Nigerian People.

“The NLC remains committed to ensuring that the Party remains a true vehicle for the emancipation of Nigerian workers and the oppressed masses”

The NLC reaffirmed the historical responsibility of the working class to resist all forms of exploitation and oppression. It calls on all affiliates, industrial unions, and progressive allies to remain on high alert and fully prepared to engage in decisive mass action against all anti-people policies of the state.

The Congress also reiterated that no society can sustainably develop under a regime of corporate plunder and neoliberal enslavement.

“The Nigerian working people must, therefore, remain resolute, organized, and uncompromising in the collective struggle for a fair and equitable Nigeria where the dominance of fat cats at the expense of the masses will be greatly reduced to create a socioeconomic balance”.