The Organised Labour has vowed to occupy offices of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Distribution Companies (DisCos) nationwide if the current increase in electricity tariff is not reversed.
A letter dated May 3, 2024 and addressed to the chairman of NERC, the movement said Nigerian workers will not hesitate to mobilise 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 face resistance 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 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. As the Regulator of the Electricity sector, it is imperative that your Commission grasps the weight of its responsibilities.
“NERC’s role entails the regulation of electricity tariffs in the country, a duty outlined in explicit detail within the statutes governing the Commission. Yet, with this recent tariff hike which you have acquiesced, it is evident that the Commission has forsaken its duty and abandoned the people it was meant to protect to the fat cats in the electricity industry. We are miffed that NERC has become a tacit 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.
“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 dcfend 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.”
