Yesterday, Organised Labour called for a total reversal of the power sector privatisation and recovery of all sold public electricity assets.
Members of the Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) and Trade Union Congress(TUC) made the demands while picketing offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Abuja and electricity distribution companies(DisCos) nationwide.
•They also demanded an immediate reversal of the April 3, 2024 electricity tariff hike for Band A customers until ‘’certain’’ conditions are met.
•The terms which the workers said are contained in their 2021 and 2023 agreements with the government include a ‘’review of the privatisation of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), de-dollarisation of gas supply for electricity generation, distribution of pre-paid meters to all electricity consumers, increase in electricity generation and distribution with an adequate commitment to investment in green and renewable energy sources.’’
• To show their seriousness, the NLC and TUC leadership directed electricity workers to cut off the power supply to all NERC and Transmission Company of Nigeria(TCN) offices.
Accusing Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu of supporting apartheid in Nigeria, they charged him to talk less about tariffs and focus on how to improve electricity generation
Ajaero said: “We are very serious about our demand that NERC and TCN reverse the recent tariff hike. The tariff is killing. It is killing businesses and Nigerians.
‘’As part of our protest, we have asked electricity workers under our centres to cut off the power supply in all NERC and TCN offices across the country. Review the current tariff because it is not workers’ friendly. It is not acceptable.”
Labour first took the protest to NERC headquarters before moving to the Federal Ministry of Power in Abuja and the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
