The Ebonyi State chapter of Organised Labour, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress staged a protest on Monday against the recent hike in electricity tariff.
According to the Nation, the workers, led by NLC Chairman Ogugua Egwu and TUC Chairman Chidi Igboji, picketed the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company and National Electricity Regulatory Commission offices in Abakaliki, the state capital.
Carrying placards with messages such as “NLC says no to electricity tariff increase” and “Nigerian government, let the poor breathe,” the workers chanted slogans to express their displeasure over the tariff hike.
Egwu described the increase as “reckless and wicked,” stating that it would only serve to further impoverish ordinary Nigerians.
The labour leaders demanded a reversal of the tariff hike, which saw prices rise from N65 to over N225, representing a 340% increase.
They vowed to continue picketing EEDC and NERC offices until their demands are met. Igboji emphasized that the increase would exacerbate poverty among the masses, and the labour unions would not stand for it.
The protest in Ebonyi was part of a nationwide demonstration by labour unions against the electricity tariff hike. The workers are calling on the government to reconsider the increase and prioritize the welfare of the poor and vulnerable.
