Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and its Commerce Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, counterpart, have given the Nigerian Electrical energy Regulatory Fee, NERC, until Could 12 to withdraw the current hike in electrical energy tariff or face unprecedented industrial motion.
The ultimatum was issued in a joint letter to the Chairman/Chief Government Officer, CEO, dated Could 3, 2024, and copied to the Secretary to the Authorities of the Federation, SGF, the Ministers of Labour and Energy and the electrical energy distribution firms, DisCos, amongst others, Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo, President of NLC and its TUC’s counterpart.
The letter learn: “That is to refer you to our Could Day handle the place we expressed grave issues concerning the current announcement of an astronomical hike in electrical energy tariff throughout the nation from N65/kWh to N225/Kwh by your fee.
“We imagine that this determination is not only morally reprehensible contemplating the difficulties Nigerians are confronted with at present, however it blatantly disregards basic rules and statutory obligations.
“It’s a slap within the face of justice and equity, and we won’t stand idly by because the lots and employees are subjected to such unacceptable exploitation.
“Because the regulator of the electrical energy sector, it’s crucial that your fee grasps the burden of its tasks. NERC‘s position entails the regulation of electrical energy tariffs within the nation, an obligation outlined in specific element throughout the statutes governing the fee.
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“But, with this current tariff hike which you’ve acquiesced, it’s evident that the Fee has forsaken its responsibility and deserted the individuals it was meant to guard to the fats cats within the electrical energy business.
“We’re miffed that NERC has develop into a tacit collaborator in crafting the oppressive pricing regime being perpetuated towards Nigerian employees and folks. The Legal guidelines that arrange the fee mandate it to behave as an unbiased ombudsman within the electrical energy business. “Sadly, the reverse is the case because it has acted in cahoots with the Distribution Firms, DisCos and the Producing Firms, GenCos, to advertise their nefarious market practices.
“The introduced tariff hike not solely defies the established process mandated by regulation but in addition tramples upon the rights of Nigerian residents. It’s a flagrant abuse of energy and a transparent violation of the belief bestowed upon your fee by the Nigerian individuals. Such actions won’t be tolerated, and we refuse to just accept them as the brand new norm.
“Nigerian employees and much led by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Commerce Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, stand united in denouncing this injustice. We should defend the rights of our fellow residents towards exploitation.
“Subsequently, we demand an instantaneous reversal of the hike in electrical energy tariff to N65/kwh, fast cessation of the discriminatory apply of segregating electrical energy customers into arbitrary bands, and restoration of the supremacy of the statutes governing the conduct of operators throughout the electrical energy business.
“We offer you till Sunday, Could 12, 2024, to conform. Failure to take action will lead to swift and decisive motion on our half as we won’t hesitate to mobilize our members and occupy all NERC’s places of work and people of the DisCos nationwide till justice is served.”
