Organised labour gives NERC ultimatum over electricity tariff hike

Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has been given ultimatum untill May 12 to withdraw the recent hike in electricity tariffs or face unprecedented industrial action.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) issued the ultimatum on Tuesday in a joint letter dated May 3 and signed by NLC president, Joe Ajaero, and his TUC counterpart, Festus Osifo.

The letter was addressed to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, CEO, NERC, and copied to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, the Ministers of Labour and Power, and the electricity distribution companies, DisCos, among others.

The labour union said the tarrif increase is not only morally reprehensible but it also blatantly disregards fundamental principles and statutory obligations of NERC.

The letter read: “This is to refer you to our May Day address, where we expressed grave concerns regarding the recent announcement of an astronomical hike in electricity tariffs across the nation from N65/kWh to N225/kWh by your commission.

‘’We believe that this decision is not just morally reprehensible considering the difficulties Nigerians are faced with currently, but it blatantly disregards fundamental principles and statutory obligations.

‘’It is a slap in the face of justice and fairness, and we will not stand idly by as the masses and workers are subjected to such unacceptable exploitation.

“As the regulator of the electricity sector, it is imperative that your commission grasps the weight of its responsibilities. NERC’s role entails the regulation of electricity tariffs in the country, a duty outlined in explicit detail within the statutes governing the commission.

‘’Yet, with this recent tariff hike, which you have acquiesced, it is evident that the Commission has forsaken its duty and abandoned the people it was meant to protect to the fat cats in the electricity industry.