Members of the organised labour have threatened to shut down offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Distribution Companies across the nation.
This decision, announced on Sunday night, serves as a resolute stance until the Federal Government addresses their demand for a total reversal of the tariff increase.
The agitation follows the staggering increase in electricity tariffs, where NERC raised the tariff from N65/kwh to N225/kwh for Band A users.
Grassroots Parrot had reported the Federal Government’s approval of a marginal reduction for Band A users, meanwhile, organised labour remains steadfast in its demand for a complete reversal.
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Both the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had issued warnings to NERC, demanding immediate action to reverse the tariff hike by Sunday, May 12.
They also urged the commission to cease what they termed as “discriminatory practice” of categorizing electricity consumers into arbitrary bands.
Providing an update on the impending shutdown, Benson Upah, the head of information at NLC headquarters, issued an official notification to journalists, inviting them to cover the picketing of the NERC headquarters in Abuja. The notification specified a gathering time of 7:00 am at Labour House, signaling the commencement of the planned action.
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“NERC invites you to cover the picketing of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission headquarters in Abuja,” Benson stated in the official notification sent to the press last night.
This declaration of shutdown underscores the determination of organised labour to advocate for the welfare of electricity consumers and ensure fair and affordable access to electricity across Nigeria. As tensions escalate, the ball now lies in the court of the Federal Government and regulatory bodies to address the grievances of the labour movement and alleviate the burden of electricity tariffs on the populace.