The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) is set to protest against the office of the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and distribution companies (DisCos)’s premises nationwide on Monday over the hike in electricity tariff.
Organised labour, under the auspices of NLC and TUC gave the federal government and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) a May 12 deadline to reverse the hike in electricity tariff to N65/kwh or face picketing of the commission’s offices and that of Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) nationwide.
NLC has directed its state branches and affiliates to mobilise their members to commence picketing of the offices of NERC and DISCOs nationwide as from Monday, May 13.
In a warning letter jointly signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo, the two labour centres demanded immediate cessation of the discriminatory segregation of electricity consumers into arbitrary bands.
The letter reads, ” “This is to refer you to our May Day address where we expressed grave concerns regarding the recent announcement of an astronomical hike in electricity tariff across the nation from N65/kWh to N225/Kwh by your Commission.
“We believe that this decision is not just morally reprehensible considering the difficulties Nigerians are faced with currently, but it blatantly disregards fundamental principles and statutory obligations.
“It is a slap in the face of justice and fairness, and we will not stand idly by as the masses and workers are subjected to such unacceptable exploitation….
“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.
“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 it 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. Kindly accept the assurance of our high regards!”
