Organized labour has announced its intention to begin a nationwide protest today in response to the recent increase in electricity tariffs and the removal of subsidies in the power sector by the Federal Government.
The protest is set to result in the closure of key government offices and power distribution company branches nationwide.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) are leading the protest, aimed at expressing their dissatisfaction with the government’s decisions.
They plan to shut down the Abuja office of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Ministry of Power, and regional branches of power distribution companies.
Earlier directives from NLC and TUC instructed their state branches and affiliates to mobilise their members to begin picketing the offices of NERC and DISCOs nationwide from Monday, May 13.
In a joint letter dated May 3, 2024, and signed by NLC President Joe Ajaero and TUC President Festus Osifo, the two labour centres demanded the immediate cessation of the discriminatory segregation of electricity consumers into arbitrary bands.
They also demanded the restoration of the supremacy of the statutes governing the conduct of operators within the electricity industry.
The recent increase in electricity tariffs has faced widespread criticism, with many Nigerians expressing concerns about its impact on their daily lives.
The removal of subsidies in the power sector has also raised questions about the government’s commitment to providing affordable and accessible electricity to the populace.
The protests are expected to continue until the government addresses the concerns raised by organized labour and takes steps to mitigate the effects of the electricity tariff hike on the general populace.
In April, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) ordered the immediate upward review of electricity tariffs on customers in Band A, offering an average daily electricity supply of 20 hours, although many customers claim they do not receive that level of service.
Power distribution companies (DisCos) raised electricity prices to N225 ($0.15) per kilowatt-hour from N68.
