The Private Telecommunications and Communications Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PTECSSAN) has rejected the planned nationwide protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) over the recently approved 50 per cent increase in telecoms tariff.

PTECSSAN in a letter, dated January 27, 2025, addressed to the NLC leadership, argued that the tariff hike, though painful, is necessary to prevent the imminent collapse of the sector, which could have far-reaching consequences for the economy.

The NLC had earlier rejected the tariff increase, describing it as an additional burden on Nigerians already grappling with rising costs of living.

The labour union directed its affiliate unions to mobilise members for a protest scheduled for February 4, 2025.

However, PTECSSAN, which represents workers in the telecoms sector, expressed disappointment that the NLC took the decision without consulting it, despite its direct involvement in the industry.

The body in the letter signed by its General Secretary, Okonu Abdullahi, highlighted the severe challenges facing the telecoms sector, including skyrocketing operational costs driven by the removal of fuel subsidies, rising prices of diesel (Automated Gas Oil), and increased electricity tariffs.

The union revealed that the cost of diesel, which powers telecoms base stations, has risen from N842.25 in May 2023 to an average of N1, 441.28 as of January 2025.

Similarly, the price of petrol used by field engineers to maintain telecoms infrastructure has surged from N198 to over N1, 030 within the same period.

The union also pointed out that telecoms operators rely heavily on foreign exchange to import equipment, but the depreciation of the naira has made this increasingly difficult.

https://guardian.ng/news/telecoms-workers-union-rejects-nlcs-planned-protest-over-50-tariff-hike/