The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has raised deep concerns over the recent hike in electricity tariff for Band A customers effective from N206.80 to N209.5 effective July 1st, 2024,.and called for an immediate reversal.
President of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero who pointed out that the hike was coming when several contentious issues with government were still pending unresolved, warned the Federal Government to desist from killing Nigerians and also killing the nation’s economy.
In a statement made available to newsmen on Thursday in Abuja, he noted that rather than honour labour’s demands to reverse an earlier increment in electricity tariff, government had instead gone ahead with another increment, not minding the tough times Nigerians were grappling with as a result of their policies.
He said: “The hike in tariff by DISCOs for the so-called band ‘A’ customers represents the height of impunity and arrogance and will certainly put more companies out of business as well as create more difficulties for consumers.
“This increment has come in the heels of unresolved contestations around the insane 250% hike in tariff leading to national paralysis including the shutting down of 300 businesses as per MAN.
“The 250% 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.
“That there is another hike instead of a reversal (as promised) is further proof of the insincerity of government just as it is equally a measure of government’s insensitivity.
“We have no doubt that this frequent crass display of insincerity and insensitivity will pit the the people against government or vice versa.
“The three excuses given by DISCOs (exchange rate, interest rate and cost of gas) as justification for this increase underscore our argument that government and entities in the energy sector are not serious about finding an enduring solution to our energy crisis. For, clearly, they are treating the symptoms.
“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.”