On Monday, members of the Nigerian Labor Congress and the Trade Union Congress in Plateau State blocked the entrance of the Jos Electricity Distribution Company's headquarters in Jos, the state capital.
The union members also blocked the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission offices at the Gold and Base axis in Jos, leaving the workers there stranded.
The State Chairman of the NLC, Eugene Mangji, who led the union members, told The PUNCH in Jos that the action was in compliance with their national secretariat's directive to force the authorities to reverse the recent increase in the country’s electricity tariff.
The NLC chairman stated, “We have closed down the NERC office at Gold and Base. Right now, we are at the JED headquarters on Ahmadu Bello Way. We will continue until the right thing is done.”
According to The PUNCH, the Nigeria Labor Congress and Trade Union Congress of Nigeria had given the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission until May 12 to withdraw the recent hike in electricity tariff or face unprecedented industrial action.
In a joint letter to the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, CEO, dated May 3, 2024, and copied to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Ministers of Labor and Power, and the electricity distribution companies, Joe Ajaero and Festus Osifo, Presidents of NLC and TUC, issued the ultimatum.
The letter stated: “This is to refer you to our May Day address where we expressed grave concerns regarding the recent announcement of a significant hike in electricity tariff across the nation from N65/kWh to N225/Kwh by your commission.
‘’We believe that this decision is not just morally wrong considering the current difficulties facing Nigerians, but it also blatantly disregards fundamental principles and statutory obligations.
‘’It is an unjust and unfair situation, and we will not stand by while the masses and workers are subjected to such unacceptable exploitation.
“As the electricity sector regulator, it is crucial that your commission understands the gravity of its responsibilities. NERC’s role includes regulating electricity tariffs in the country, a duty explicitly outlined in the statutes governing the commission.
“Yet, with this recent tariff hike, which you have approved, it is clear that the Commission has neglected its duty and abandoned the people it was meant to protect to the powerful figures in the electricity industry.
“We are frustrated that NERC has become complicit in creating the oppressive pricing regime against Nigerian workers and people. The laws establishing the commission require it to act as an impartial mediator in the electricity industry.
“Unfortunately, the opposite is true as it has worked with the Distribution Companies, DisCos, and the Generating Companies, GenCos, to promote their harmful market practices.
The announced increase in tariffs not only goes against the established procedure required by law but also violates the rights of Nigerian citizens. It is a clear abuse of power and a breach of the trust given to your commission by the Nigerian people. These actions will not be accepted, and we reject them as the new normal.
Nigerian workers and the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, are standing together to condemn this unfairness. We must protect the rights of our fellow citizens from being taken advantage of.
As a result, we ask for an immediate reversal of the electricity tariff increase to N65/kwh, an immediate end to the unfair practice of dividing electricity consumers into arbitrary groups, and the reinstatement of the laws that govern the behavior of operators in the electricity industry.
We are giving you until Sunday, May 12, 2024, to comply. If you do not, we will take strong and quick action, including mobilizing our members and occupying all NERC’s and DisCos' offices nationwide until justice is served.
