Prepare for a nationwide upheaval as organized labor gears up for protests today against the recent electricity tariff hike and subsidy removal by the Federal Government. Brace yourselves for a day of action that promises to shake the corridors of power!
Confirmed by National Treasurer of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Olatunji Ambali, and National Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress, Tommy Etim, these protests demand nothing less than a return to the subsidy era, echoing the sentiments of millions of Nigerians.
The battleground? The Abuja headquarters of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Ministry of Power, and state offices of power distribution companies. It’s a showdown that will leave no stone unturned!
NERC’s bombshell announcement on April 3 sent shockwaves across the nation, with Band A customers facing a staggering 240% increase, catapulting their tariff to N225 per kilowatt-hour. This move, touted as a cost-saving measure by the government, sparked widespread outrage from various quarters, including the House of Representatives, civil society organizations, and the labor unions themselves.
But the government stood firm, citing an impending nationwide blackout if the tariff hike wasn’t implemented. Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, issued a stark warning during an investigative hearing by the Senate Committee on Power, underlining the dire consequences of inaction.
Labor, however, refused to back down. At the International Workers Day celebration in Abuja on May 1, NLC President, Joe Ajaero, lambasted the government’s decision, emphasizing the need for a fair and equitable tariff structure in a deregulated sector. TUC President, Festus Osifo, joined the chorus, denouncing the hike as daylight robbery against Nigerians.
With the ultimatum expired, labor remains resolute. Despite a last-minute downward revision by NERC, reducing the tariff to N206.8/kWh, the unions stand firm in their demand for a complete reversal.
As the battle lines are drawn, civil society groups rally behind labor, amplifying the call for justice and accountability. Dr. Jackson Omenazu of the International Society for Social Justice and Human Rights throws his organization’s full weight behind the protests, echoing the sentiments of countless Nigerians grappling with the harsh realities of these policies.
From CISLAC to the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, civil society organizations pledge unwavering support, emphasizing the urgent need for government action to alleviate the plight of the people.
Today marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s struggle for fairness and equity in the power sector. As labor takes to the streets, joined by a chorus of voices from across society, the message is clear: enough is enough! It’s time for the government to listen to the cries of its people and act decisively to ease their burdens.