Organized Labour is set to picket the office of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and distribution companies (DisCos) nationwide – over the hike in electricity tariff.
The exercise which is expected to be carried out today is sequel to a joint statement issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) directing centres across the country to participate in the picketing exercise
It followed a hike in the tariff for electricity consumers who enjoy at least 20 hours of power supply – daily.
Although the NERC had reviewed the tariff, the labour unions are insisting on a complete reversal
With inflation rising to new highs and Nigerians grappling with the removal of petroleum subsidy, the increase in tariff for Band A consumers have been greeted with stiff opposition.
However, the Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu maintains that the Federal Government will pay about N1.8 trillion for electricity subsidy in 2024 – without an upward review of electricity tariff
He argued that the Electricity Act, 2023 made provisions for the review of tariffs twice yearly.