The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described the latest increase in electricity tariff for Band A customers from N206.80/kWh to N209.5/KWh as crass display of insincerity and insensitivity.
The electricity distribution companies (DisCOS) in the country had on Wednesday announced that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved the hike.
They said the hike became necessary because of the rise in their operational costs caused by rising inflation and forex challenges.
Reacting to the development, President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, wondered why the tariff should be hiked rather down reviewed downwards.
“This increment has come on the heels of unresolved contestations around the insane 250 per cent hike in tariff leading to national paralysis including the shutting down of 300 businesses as per the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria,” Ajaero said.
“The 250 per cent hike drew the ire of the citizenry and rage of organised labour whose members went on a one-day protest for its unreasonableness and violation of extant rules of tariff hike.
“We had demanded a reversal. The only reason that action was paused was a firm assurance from relevant quarters including the National Assembly that the matter would be dealt with quietly”.
Additionally, Ajaero said: “We do not doubt that this frequent crass display of insincerity and insensitivity will pit the people against the government or vice versa.”
Ajaero called for a reversal as he said that the excuses given by the DiSCOs “underscore our argument that the government and entities in the energy sector are not serious about finding an enduring solution to our energy crisis”.
He said: “Given the further damage this latest wave of increase will do to our economy, we demand an immediate reversal of the hike. It is unjustifiable, unreasonable and malevolent. Government and DisCos should stop killing the people and the economy.”
