The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress have closed down all Abuja Electricity Distribution Company offices in protest, demanding a rollback of the recent electricity tariff increase.
Reports indicated that the NLC has blocked AEDC employees from accessing their offices after they attempted to resume work on Monday.
According to Daily Post, a staff member of AEDC who craved anonymity said, “Apo office AEDC has been closed by NLC. We were asked to return home when I got to the office around 7:00 am on Monday. Other colleagues in our offices in Abuja were told to do the same.”
The NLC had earlier directed its affiliates and state councils to mobilize members for picketing the offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulations Commission and electricity distribution companies on Monday.
This move comes in response to NERC’s approval of a 240 percent electricity tariff increase for Band A consumers.
The directive was issued in a memo signed by the NLC’s Acting Ag. General Secretary, Chris Uyot, over the weekend.
The document read, “In furtherance of CWC directive, we urge each affiliate to mobilise at least 150 members for the picketing of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and AEDC office in Abuja.
“Further, affiliates are expected to direct state councils to mobilise members for effective participation at the state level.
“The nationwide picketing is slated for Monday, 13th May 2024 and the convergence point is Labour House, Abuja. The time is 7:00 am prompt.”
In a recent letter dated May 3, Organised Labour has demanded that the NERC immediately reverse the tariff increase to N65/kWh and cease the practice of arbitrarily categorizing electricity consumers into bands.
The letter, signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo, also calls for the restoration of statutory authority over operators in the electricity industry. Copies of the letter were also sent to the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Federal Minister of Labour and Employment, the Federal Minister of Power, and Electricity Distribution Companies.
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 tariff across the nation from N65/kwh to N225/Kwh by your Commission.
“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.
“We are miffed that NERC has becomea tacit collaborator in crafting the oppressive pricing regime being perpetuated against Nigerian workers and people. The Laws that set up the Commission mandates it to act as an unbiased ombudsman in the electricity industry. Unfortunately, the reverse is the case as it has acted in cahoots with the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and the Generating Companies (GENCOs) to promote their nefarious market practices.
“The announced tariff hike not only defies the established procedure mandated by law but also tramples upon the rights of Nigerian citizens. It is a flagrant abuse of power and a clear violation of the trust bestowed upon your Commission by Nigerian people. Such actions will not be tolerated, and we refuse to accept them as the new norm.
“Nigerian workers and masses led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), stand united in denouncing this injustice. It is our duty to defend the rights of our fellow citizens against exploitation. Therefore, we issue the following demands: We give you until Sunday, the 12th day of May, 2024, to comply. Failure to do so will result in swift and decisive action on our part as we will not hesitate to mobilize our members and occupy all NERC’s offices and those of the DISCOs nationwide until justice is served.”
