The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) have said they are prepared to mobilise members to occupy offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and those of the Distribution Companies (DisCOs) nationwide if they do not comply to reverse electricity tariff hike across the nation from N225/Kwh to N65/kwh before Sunday, May 12.
In a letter addressed to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NERC, titled ‘Electricity Tariff hike: Reverse or Face Resistance’, the president of NLC, Joe Ajaero and TUC president, Fetus Osifo, threatened that failure to do so would result in swift and decisive action on their part as they will not hesitate to mobilise members and occupy their offices until justice is served.
They expressed grave concerns regarding the recent announcement of an astronomical hike in electricity tariff across the nation from N65/Kwh to N225/Kwh by the NERC.
Labour believed that the decision was not just morally reprehensible considering the difficulties Nigerians are faced with currently, but it blatantly disregards fundamental principles and statutory obligations.
According to labour, 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.”
The letter stated that as the regulator of the electricity sector, the Commission must grasp the weight of its responsibilities.
The leaders said they were miffed that NERC has become a tacit collaborator in crafting the oppressive pricing regime being perpetuated against Nigerian workers and people.
Noting that the laws that set up the Commission mandate it to act as an unbiased ombudsman in the electricity industry, however, labour said 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.
According to labour, 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 the 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. We must 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,” it stated.