Organised labour comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) will today picket the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and electricity distribution companies nationwide.
The demonstration is to protest the increase in electricity tariff by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
Though NERC had recently announced a slight reduction in the tariff, Labour insists on a total reversal of the hike in electricity tariff to N65/kwh as well as “the cessation of the discriminatory practice of segregating electricity consumers into arbitrary bands.”
In a letter mobilising its members across the country sited by Nigerian Pilot, NLC and TUC asked its state councils to mobilise and picket DISCO offices nationwide.
The letter signed by Chris Uyot, NLC acting General Secretary said the picketing is in compliance with the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the Congress.
Nigerian Pilot reports that last week, NLC and TUC had written to the chairman of NERC, demanding an immediate reversal of hike in electricity tariff.
The letter read in part, “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 1s 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 (DISCQs) and the Generating Companies (GENCQOs) to promote their nefarious market practices.”
