Less than 24 hours after the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) protested and vilified government for going against an understanding to reduce electricity bills, residents of the Federal Capital Territory and environs were slammed with notice of an increase in tariffs by the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
AEDC is following the steps of counterparts like Kaduna Electric, Ikeja Distribution Company and others in the country that recently announced fresh tariff hikes.
Warning of consequences, Labour had on Thursday called for the immediate reversal of the electricity tariff hike by distribution companies (DisCos) for “Band A” customers.
The following day, AEDC served notice that it commenced the implementation of a fresh electricity tariff hike for Band A customers, getting 20-24 hours power supply.
Making the disclosure in a notice to customers on Friday July 5, AEDC backdated the implementation to July 1, 2024.
According to the DisCo, electricity customers under Band A feeders would now pay N209.5 per Kilowatt-hour up from N206.80kwh.
The company stated: “In line with the service-based tariff regime, the revised tariff for Band A feeders is effective July 1st, 2024, as follows: old price N206.80/kWh, new price N209.5/kWh
“Please note that the tariffs for Bands B, C, D and E remain unchanged.”
In a statement on Thursday by President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Joe Ajaero, the organisation described the increment as the “height of impunity and arrogance.”
The labour leader warned that it would force more companies out of business and create further consumer difficulties.
The 250 percent increase had already sparked widespread outrage among citizens and organised labour, resulting in a one-day protest.
According to Ajaero, the earlier protests were paused only due to assurances from relevant authorities, including the National Assembly, that the matter would be addressed quietly.
He said the new hike, instead of the promised reversal, demonstrated the government’s insincerity and insensitivity.
