As Nigerians groan over multiple taxations embarked upon by the federal government, the Labour unions in the country have declared their intentions to occupy offices of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Distribution Companies (DisCos) nationwide if the current increase in electricity tariff is not returned to the status quo.
A letter dated May 3, 2024 and addressed to the chairman of NERC, the labour leaders said Nigerian workers will not mind to call her members nationwide for action against such anti-people policy.
The letter which was jointly signed by NLC president, Comrade Joe Ajaero, and his TUC counterpart, Comrade Festus Osifo, called for the reversal of the hike in tariff or risk massive protest from the Nigerian workers.
The letter which was also copied to Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Ministers of Power and of Labour and Employment, said “the astronomical hike in electricity tariff across the nation from N65/kwh to N225/Kwh by your Commission is unacceptable.”
The letter reads in parts: “We believe that this decision is morally bad, considering the untold hardship facing Nigerians currently due to removal of oil subsidy.
“It is an affront on the face of justice and fairness, and we will not stand aloof as the masses and workers are subjected to such exploitation. As the Regulator of the Electricity sector, it is important that your Commission should understand the sensitivity of its responsibilities to the people.
“NERC’s role involves the regulation of electricity tariffs in the country, a duty outlined in explicit detail within the statutes governing the Commission. But, with this recent tariff hike which you have endorsed, it is clear that the Commission has abandoned its duty and forsaken the people it was meant to protect to the cabal in the electricity industry.
“We are surprised that NERC has become a senior collaborator in crafting the oppressive pricing regime being perpetuated against Nigerian workers and people.
“The laws that set up the commission mandates it to act as an unbiased ombudsman in the electricity industry. Unfortunately, the reverse is the case as it has acted in cahoots with the Distribution Companies (DisCos) and the Generating Companies (GenCOs) to promote their nefarious market practices.
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“The announced tariff hike not only defies the established procedure mandated by law but also tramples upon the rights of Nigerian citizens. It is a flagrant abuse of power and a clear violation of the trust bestowed upon your Commission by Nigerian people. Such actions will not be tolerated, and we refuse to accept them as the new norm.
“Nigerian workers and masses led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), stand united in denouncing this injustice. It is our duty to defend the rights of our fellow citizens against exploitation. Therefore, we issue the following demands:
“An immediate reversal of the hike in electricity tariff to N65/kwh; immediate cessation of the discriminatory practice of segregating electricity consumers into arbitrary bands and restoration of the supremacy of the statutes governing the conduct of operators within the electricity industry.
“We give you until Sunday, the 12th day of May, 2024, to comply. Failure to do so will result in swift and decisive action on our part as we will not hesitate to mobilize our members and occupy all NERC’s offices and those of the DISCOs nationwide until justice is served.“
