The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have issued an ultimatum to the federal government and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), demanding a rollback of the recent electricity tariff increase to N65/kwh by May 12.
Failure to comply will result in a nationwide picketing of NERC offices and Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) starting Monday, May 13.
The directive from the NLC calls for state branches and affiliated unions to prepare for the mobilization of their members for the planned picketing.
A letter co-signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo calls for an end to the arbitrary categorization of electricity consumers and insists on adherence to the laws that regulate the electricity sector’s operations.
Dated May 3, 2024, the letter to the NERC Chairman/CEO warns of worker resistance if the tariff hike is not reversed.
The communication was also shared with the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Ministers of Labour and Employment, Power, and all DISCOs.
The tariff increase, which saw prices for Band A customers jump from N65 to N225 per kilowatt hour following a reduction in government electricity subsidies, has been widely criticized by consumers, labour unions, and private sector entities.
In their correspondence, the labour unions accuse NERC of bias and complicity in imposing what they describe as an unjust pricing structure on Nigerian workers and the general populace.
“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” the statement said.
“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.”
“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 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 so will result in swift and decisive action on our part, as we will not hesitate to mobilise our members and occupy all NERC’s offices and those of the DISCOs nationwide until justice is served.”
