NLC, TUC To Occupy DISCOs, NERC Offices Over Electricity Tariff Hike

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has directed its members to picket offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on Monday.

NLC also asked its members to picket electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) across the country.

The directive followed a meeting of the Central Working Committee, CWC, on April 30, 2024.

A statement signed by NLC Acting Secretary-General, Chris Uyot, said: “The nationwide picketing is slated for Monday, 13 May, 2024.”

It was learnt that the organised labour had written a protest letter to NERC headquarters in which it gave a 12 May 2024 ultimatum within which NERC should reverse the hike of electricity tariff or face mass action.

The unions cited the hard condition that NERC action is going to push the masses into as a reason for the call for reversal.

They stated that the announced tariff hike not only defies the established procedure mandated by law but also tramples upon the rights of Nigerian citizens.

Speaking at the International Workers Day celebration in Abuja on May 1, the TUC President, Festus Osifo, also faulted the hike, saying, “It is unethical to force Nigerians to pay higher tariffs for non-existent electricity. Estimated billing is an extortion and daylight robbery against Nigerians.”

The labour action is expected to lead to the shutdown of the Abuja headquarters of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, the Ministry of Power and state offices of power distribution companies.