THE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) will picket the offices of the Nigerian energy Regulatory Commission (NERC) and distribution firms (DisCos) across the country tomorrow in protest of the electricity tariff hike.
“We write to inform you of the picketing action scheduled to take place in the offices of the NERC and Electricity Distribution companies (DISCOS) in all states, including the FCT,” the unions said in a joint statement by NLC’s Ag General Secretary Chris Uyot and his TUC counterpart Anka Hassan
“The action will jointly take place on Monday, 13th of May, 2024 nationwide simultaneously. Therefore, the two Labour centres are directed to work together to carry out this important action. While counting on your usual cooperation, kindly accept the assurances of our goodwill and highest regards.”
Their action is following a tariff hike for electricity customers who receive at least 20 hours of daily power supply.
Though the NERC had evaluated the rate, labour groups said they were picketing the agency’s office as well as distribution company locations after reversal deadline expired today.
Several sources have expressed concern about the latest pricing increase for electricity consumers.
With inflation reaching new highs and Nigerians suffering with the removal of petroleum subsidies, the pricing hike was received with strong criticism.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) argued that the tariff hike was being used by the Federal Government to pay the “cash-trapped” DisCoS.
However, while defending the action, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu stated that the Federal Government will pay over N1.8 trillion in electricity subsidies in 2024.
He argued that the Electricity Act of 2023 included provisions for twice-yearly tariff reviews.
“Review of tariff is actually legal once it is within the exclusive responsibility of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC),” he said on an edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today. “The Act actually provides for review twice in a year, every six months.”
Following the clapback generated by the move, the House of Representatives asked NERC to suspend the implementation of the tariff hike.