The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has condemned another increase in electricity tariff instead of a reversal as promised by the Federal Government, saying: “We demand an immediate reversal of the hike.”
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, in a statement on Thursday in Abuja titled, “Stop killing the people and the economy,” said another hike in tariff by DISCOs from N206.80 to N209.5 with effect from July 1, 2024 for Band ‘A’ customers represented the height of impunity and arrogance.
In the statement, he said: “This will certainly put more companies out of business as well as create more difficulties for consumers.
“This increment has come in the heels of unresolved contestations around the insane 250 per cent hike in tariff leading to national paralysis including the shutting down of 300 businesses as per MAN.”
According to Ajaero, the 250 percent hike drew the ire of the citizenry and rage of organised labour whose members went on a one-day protest for its unreasonableness and violation of extant rules of tariff hike.
He wrote: “We demand a reversal. The only reason that action was paused was a firm assurance from relevant quarters including the National Assembly that the matter would be dealt with quietly.
“That there is another hike instead of a reversal as promised is further proof of the insincerity of government just as it is equally a measure of government’s insensitivity.
“We have no doubt that this frequent crass display of insincerity and insensitivity will pitch the the people against government or vice versa.”
Based on the three excuses given by DISCOs to justify the increase (exchange rate, interest rate and cost of gas), Ajaero said demonstrated that government and entities in the energy sector were not serious about finding an enduring solution to the energy crisis.
He said: “For, clearly, they are treating the symptoms.
“Given the further damage this latest wave of increase will do to our economy, we demand an immediate reversal of the hike.
“It is unjustifiable, unreasonable and malevolent. Government and DISCOs should stop killing the people and the economy.”
