The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have announced plans to picket the offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and distribution companies (DisCos) nationwide on Monday.
This decision comes after a Sunday reversal deadline set by the labor unions failed to yield results.
The tariff increase particularly affects consumers who enjoy a minimum of 20 hours of daily power supply. Despite the NERC’s review of the tariff, the labor unions remain resolute in their stance, expressing dissatisfaction with the ongoing hike.
The move has sparked widespread commentary, with various stakeholders voicing concerns about its impact, especially amidst soaring inflation and the recent removal of petroleum subsidies.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has criticized the Federal Government’s role, alleging that the tariff hike is aimed at bolstering the finances of the “cash-trapped” DisCos.
In defense of the government’s decision, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has stated that the Federal Government plans to subsidize electricity costs by approximately N1.8 trillion in 2024.
He further emphasized that the Electricity Act of 2023 allows for tariff reviews biannually, thereby justifying the recent adjustments.
