Labour Unions in Nigeria have embarked on a Nationwide protest over the 45 per cent increase in electricity tariffs announced by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission.
The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), civil society allies and electricity consumers on Monday took to the streets to register their disapproval at the increase despite poor power supply.The increase was announced by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and it kicked off on February 1.
Organised labour said that the protest had become necessary after all efforts to make NERC shelve the idea of electricity tariff increase failed.
According to labour, the due process in the extant laws for such increment was not followed in consonance with section 76 of the Power Sector Reform Act, 2005.
Organised labour also believes that there has been no significant improvement in service delivery.
“The fact is that most consumers are not metered in accordance with the signed privatisation Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of November 1, 2013, which stipulates that within 18 months gestation period, all consumers must be metered,” the organised labour said.
A statement by the labour unions said that the Abuja rally would start at Labour House, Central Business District at 8:00a.m local time, before moving to the NERC head office at Adamawa Plaza, Plot 1099, First Avenue, Off Shehu Shagari Way, Central Business District.
Different power firms across the country on Sunday urged the body not to carry out the proposed protest.
The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, ANED, on Sunday in Kano, appealed to organised labour to shelve its planned protest over electricity tariff increase on Monday.
A statement issued by the Executive Director, Research and Advocacy of the association, Sunday Oduntan, urged the unions to support the power sector operators to improve electricity supply in the country.
The statement urged Nigerians to support the Federal Government and the power sector operators to ensure the sustenance of the sector.