Electricity: Labour demands immediate removal of band classification, tariff hike

Electricity: Labour demands immediate removal of band classification, tariff hike

The organised labour has issued a fresh threat to shut down all offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) if the recent classification of consumers under Bands A, B, C, D, E, F is not discontinued.

It also demanded an immediate reversal of the latest electricity tariff hike and vowed to occupy electricity distribution (DisCo) offices.

Failure to comply with the demands, it declared, would result in a complete shutdown of all NERC offices nationwide DisCo offices from May 12.

The labour, led by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), expressed opposition to what it termed a “discriminatory practice” of categorizing electricity consumers into arbitrary bands.

It asserted that such actions were unjust and vowed to take decisive measures to address them.

The demands are contained in a letter addressed to the Chairman of NERC, with copies sent to key government officials including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Minister of State for Labour, and the Minister of Power, outlined the unions’ grievances and demands.

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Signed by Joe Ajaero, President of the NLC, and Festus Osifo, President of the TUC, the letter emphasized the necessity of immediate action to rectify the situation.

It underscored the duty of the labour movement to protect the rights of citizens against exploitation and called for the restoration of fairness in electricity pricing.

The unions set forth three key demands: the reversal of the electricity tariff hike to its previous rate of N65/kwh, an end to the discriminatory practice of segmenting consumers, and adherence to statutory obligations governing the electricity industry.

A May 12, 2024 deadline was given for compliance with these demands.

Should NERC fail to act, the unions pledged swift and decisive action, including occupying NERC and Distribution Companies (DisCos) offices nationwide until justice is served.

Electricity: Labour demands immediate removal of band classification, tariff hike