Tuesday, July 1, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Contact
The Reflector Newspaper
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Featured
  • Foreign News
  • Business
  • Opinions
  • Sport
  • Crime
  • Others
    • Education
    • Economy
    • Entertainment
    • Fashion & Style
    • Health
    • Interview
    • Love & Relationships
    • Technology
  • Login
No Result
View All Result
The Reflector Newspaper
Home Featured

NSCDC Warns NLC As Telecom Tariff Hike Protest Looms

Ifeanyi Uzoechiena by Ifeanyi Uzoechiena
February 17, 2025
in Featured, News, Technology
0
Telecom Tariff Hike: NLC To Protest Feb 4
0
SHARES
18
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on WhatsAppShare on TelegramSend to Email

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Sunday warned the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) against its planned March 1 shutdown of telecommunication services in response to the recent 50 per cent tariff hike.

The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria similarly pushed back against the NLC’s planned boycott of telecom services and shutdown of telecom infrastructure, arguing that such actions are misguided and could harm the industry.

Related posts

Elon Musk To Step Down Soon, Trump Tells Cabinet

Trump Threatens To Deport Musk As Feud Deepens

July 1, 2025
2027: Kwankwaso’s defection to APC just rumour — Kano NNPP Chairman

2027: Kwankwaso’s defection to APC just rumour — Kano NNPP Chairman

July 1, 2025

The spokesman for the NSCDC, Babawale Afolabi, in a chat with reporters on Sunday, said the agency had deployed operatives to the base stations to prevent any illegal action by the protesters.

The NSCDC, tasked with protecting critical national infrastructure, including telecommunications, expressed concerns over the potential risks the NLC action could pose to national security and public safety.

The NLC announced its intention to shut down the operations of telecommunications companies across the country if the tariff hike announced by the Nigerian Communications Commission was not reversed by the end of February.

The union directed Nigerians to boycott the services of major telecom providers, including MTN, Airtel, and Glo, daily between 11am and 2pm starting February 13 and continuing through the month.

The NLC in a communiqué signed by its President, Joe Ajaero and General Secretary, Emma Ugboaja, accused the telecom operators of breaching public trust by implementing the tariff hike before the conclusion of a 10-man review panel’s deliberations.

The union also faulted the government for failing to protect citizens from corporate exploitation.

The NLC argued that the tariff increase represented a betrayal of public trust, given the earlier agreement to establish a committee to review the proposed hike.

However, the NSCDC urged the NLC to reconsider its planned protest, warning that any disruption to telecom services could expose the country to criminal activities and compromise national security.

Afolabi made it clear that the agency will not allow any action that could jeopardize the security of the nation.

He revealed that state commandants had been directed to maintain round-the-clock surveillance at telecom facilities, with a nationwide deployment of officers, including undercover operatives, to ensure the protection of these assets.

Citing the importance of telecommunications to national security, the corps warned that any disruption could result in vandalism and other criminal activities.

He added, “Already, the NSCDC commandant-general has directed state commandants to maintain round-the-clock surveillance in and around all the telecom masts in their locations.

“Also, there is going to be nationwide massive deployment of the officers and men of the corps, including undercover and intelligence operatives, to maintain peace and ensure that all the government and corporate organisations’ critical national assets and infrastructure are protected from the miscreants who might likely use the opportunity of the planned protest to carry out their criminal activities.’’

“Available credible intelligence already established the fact that the planned protest will be hijacked by hoodlums and that is why the NSCDC is on top of the situation,” he further stated.

The NSCDC called for dialogue to resolve the dispute and hoped that the NLC would reconsider its stance.

Afolabi stated, “The NSCDC, under the leadership of Commandant-General, Dr. Ahmed Audi, is appealing to the organized labour under the umbrella of the Nigeria Labour Congress to shelve their planned protest of March 01, 2025 and the move to shut down telecommunication facilities nationwide.

“Although peaceful protests are allowed under the law, experience and fallouts of similar threats in the past necessitate the need to appeal to the NLC not to embark on any action that will further affect the security of the country.

“NSCDC will not fold its arms and allow any action that will expose the nation’s security and eventual compromised economic stability and public safety, under the guise of protesting the increase in telecom services tariffs.

“The scars of similar protests that turned violent in the past are still there as reference points and the NSCDC and other security agencies in the country will not allow the miscreants, hoodlums and other non-state actors to hide under the guise of NLC protest to loot and vandalise government and corporate organisations assets and infrastructure.”

The NSCDC stressed its commitment to safeguarding the nation’s critical infrastructure and stated that it is prepared to take decisive legal action against those who attempt to undermine the security of the country.

“The NSCDC is committed to safeguarding the lives of Nigerians and property of the government and corporate organizations we are ready to take decisive actions against any individual or group that embarks on any action that can jeopardise the security architecture of the country,” he added.

The corps said it has placed its personnel on high alert and warned that anyone found engaging in illegal activities during the protest will be dealt with according to the law.

“We still believe that dialogue remains the best solution and we hope that organised labour will listen to the voice of reason and jaw-jaw with the government. We advise organised labour leaders to stay away from base stations and telecom mast locations as NSCDC personnel have been placed on red alert.

“Anybody found wanting will be dealt with according to the stipulated law of the country,” the spokesperson cautioned.

The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria criticised the NLC over its planned protest.

The Secretary-General of PTECSSAN, Abdullahi Okonu, told The PUNCH on Sunday that the union had already made its position clear, arguing that the increase is necessary to prevent a collapse of the industry.

In a letter addressed to the NLC, PTECSSAN said the labour congress had acted “in error” by taking decisions without consulting the union, which represents workers in the telecom sector.

“It is our firm belief that the Congress Leadership has acted in error in taking these decisions without prior consultation with our union that operates in the sector,” the letter read.

“Perhaps, getting in touch with us to provide you with information on the happenings in the sector would have assisted the Leadership in taking a better decision than it had taken,” it further said.

The union acknowledged the concerns over the impact of the tariff increase on consumers but insisted that the hike was unavoidable due to rising operational costs.

PTECSSAN pointed to the removal of fuel subsidy and the subsequent surge in petroleum prices, which have significantly increased the cost of maintaining telecom base stations across the country.

On its part, the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria urged the labour unions to suspend its planned rally, pointing out that there had been no formal engagements or discussions with the telecom operators before the union’s decision.

ATCON president Tony Emoekpere criticised the planned boycott of telecom services and shutdown of infrastructure declared by the workers’ union.

“This isn’t a labour issue; it’s an industry-wide challenge. Interest rates, for example, fluctuate constantly, yet banks don’t shut down in protest. These economic policies affect all sectors, not just telecoms. So why single out our industry?” Emoekpere told newsmen.

He emphasized that while concerns about service quality are valid, expecting businesses to operate at a loss is unsustainable.

“If the goal is better service, let’s have that discussion. But resorting to actions that could disrupt the industry and the economy isn’t the way forward,” he added.

The telecom executive further stated that telcos are solely focused on improving services that will be beneficial to subscribers and get value for their money.

But speaking with newsmen, the Lagos State NLC Chairperson, Funmi Sessi, rejected the warnings from the NSCDC, making it clear that Labour would not be cowed by threats.

“No one can threaten us – no one! This is about our commonwealth, our joint heritage. Civil Defence officers are merely working for their pay, but they have no authority to dictate to us. If necessary, we will shut down the electricity itself! Who are they to tell us otherwise?” she declared.

 

The PUNCH

Tags: NLCNSCDCTelecom Tariff Hike

The Reflector Newspaper's newsletters cover a variety of topics, from daily news to lifestyle content, markets info to medical news. Subscribe to get the latest information.

Unsubscribe
Previous Post

Oyo Govt Plans Connection Of State Power Grid To UCH

Next Post

Alaafin Stool: Oyo Prince Asks Court To Sack Oba Owoade

Next Post
Alaafin Of Oyo Disbands Illegitimate Coronation Committee

Alaafin Stool: Oyo Prince Asks Court To Sack Oba Owoade

RECOMMENDED NEWS

BREAKING: Minister Of Livestock Development To Engage With Nigerians At Renewed Hope Virtual Conference

BREAKING: Minister Of Livestock Development To Engage With Nigerians At Renewed Hope Virtual Conference

5 months ago
EFCC Storms Bachelor’s Eve Party In Ondo, Arrests Groom-To-Be

EFCC Storms Bachelor’s Eve Party In Ondo, Arrests Groom-To-Be

1 year ago
Rivers Crisis: Full List Of Resigning Commissioners As Nbina, Worlu Leave Fubara Government

Rivers Crisis: Full List Of Resigning Commissioners As Nbina, Worlu Leave Fubara Government

2 years ago
BREAKING: Tinubu Appoints Admiral Ibokette Ibas To Take Charge In Rivers

Profile Of New Rivers State Administrator, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas

3 months ago

FOLLOW US

BROWSE BY CATEGORIES

  • Business
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Fashion & Style
  • Featured
  • Foreign News
  • Health
  • Interview
  • Love & Relationships
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Politics
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Uncategorized

BROWSE BY TOPICS

#EndBadGovernance protest 2027 Elections Akpabio Alaafin Of Oyo APC Atiku Bola Tinubu Dangote Refinery Defection Donald Trump Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Economic Hardship EFCC Emergency Rule Federal Government of Nigeria Fubara Fuel Price Fuel Price Hike Gunmen INEC JAMB Natasha National Power Grid Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Nigeria Police Force Nnamdi Kanu NNPC NNPCL Oil Marketers PDP Peter Obi Petrol Price President Ahmed Bola Tinubu Rivers Administrator Rivers Assembly Rivers Crisis Senate Sexual Harassment Tax Reform Bills Tinubu UTME VeryDarkMan WAEC Wike

POPULAR NEWS

  • Congo’s President Daughter’s Bedroom Surfaces Online

    Congo’s President Daughter’s Bedroom Surfaces Online

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Economy Bleeds As Naira Hits Record Low With N72.58 Depreiciation Against Dollar

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Old Naira Notes Remain Valid – CBN

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Gospel Actress, Flora Of Abattoir Movie Series Is Dead

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • JUST IN: FCT Minister Wike Leads Eid-El-Fitr Homage To President Tinubu Amid Death Rumors

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
The Reflector Newspaper

Our mission at The Reflector Newspaper is to cultivate a dynamic digital space where truth, integrity, and diversity thrive.

Follow us on social media:

Recent News

  • Trump Threatens To Deport Musk As Feud Deepens
  • 2027: Kwankwaso’s defection to APC just rumour — Kano NNPP Chairman
  • JUST IN: Atiku, Secondus, Other PDP Leaders In Close-Door Meeting
  • ECN Hosts Management Retreat on Public Sector Reforms, ECN Act Amendment

Category

  • Business
  • Crime
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Entertainment
  • Fashion & Style
  • Featured
  • Foreign News
  • Health
  • Interview
  • Love & Relationships
  • News
  • Opinions
  • Politics
  • Sport
  • Technology
  • Uncategorized

Recent News

Elon Musk To Step Down Soon, Trump Tells Cabinet

Trump Threatens To Deport Musk As Feud Deepens

July 1, 2025
2027: Kwankwaso’s defection to APC just rumour — Kano NNPP Chairman

2027: Kwankwaso’s defection to APC just rumour — Kano NNPP Chairman

July 1, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Contact

Copyright © 2024 The Reflector Newspaper. Website designed by Mavens Designs.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
  • Login
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Featured
  • Foreign News
  • Business
  • Opinions
  • Sport
  • Crime
  • Others
    • Education
    • Economy
    • Entertainment
    • Fashion & Style
    • Health
    • Interview
    • Love & Relationships
    • Technology

Copyright © 2024 The Reflector Newspaper. Website designed by Mavens Designs.

Verified by MonsterInsights