The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), express dismay at the sudden increase in electricity tariff by the Abuja DISCO; noting that the company is causing more hardship for the people.
This was according to a statement issued on Tuesday, September 1, 2020 by the National President of NLC, Ayuba Wabba, stating that despite the declaration and directive by the National Assembly and President Muhammadu Buhari, suspending the proposed hike in the price of electricity tariff till further notice.
NLC President therefore insisted that payment of the increase tariff will be resisted by member of the union and the general public.
According to the statement: “We are not aware of any order by the Government or the elected representatives of the Nigerian people de-freezing the order to suspend any plans to inflict more pocket and psychological trauma on Nigerians by way of reckless and insensitive hike in electricity tariff,” he said.
Wabba stressed that: “It appears that the adamant desire of DISCOs in Nigeria to ram through their ill-conceived agenda to further impoverish Nigerians through astronomical tariff increase amidst a plummeting return on service delivery has now been deregulated.
“The DISCOs appear to have given themselves the ignoble tasks of taunting and testing the will of the Nigerian people. Abuja DISCO has adorned the robe of the protagonist with its recent announcement of a new tariff plan for electricity consumers within the sphere of its service area.”
“We wish to state that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) seriously frowns at, completely condemns and totally rejects any plan to inflict further pain on Nigerians at this very time of great economic distress. The new dribble by the Abuja DISCO is dead on arrival as it will be resisted by the Nigerian working class and people. The other DISCOs should not bother putting their ships of exploitation to sail.
“The NLC is also deeply concerned on the deaf and dumb posture of the State electricity regulator – the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). It is important to put it on record that the NERC would be putting its name on the wrong side of history if it continues to play the ostrich while a group of portfolio investors make a bloodmeal of Nigerians. Nigerian electricity consumers need the NERC to speak up and act in the defence of the rights of the Nigerian people. A word is indeed enough for the wise.”
Olaoluwa Adekunle
