NLC, TUC protest, shut down Ministry, NERC, disCos over electricity tariff hike

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The Nigeria Labour Council (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC), on Monday, embarked on nationwide protest over the electricity tariff hike amid hardship in Nigeria.

The organised labour shut down disCis offices, in the protest aimed at reversing the controversial hike in Band A tariff hike.

The labour movement had last night distributed reminder notices to all its branch offices and affiliates, across the nation in respect of a proposed nationwide protest to commence today, Monday.

Apart from the electricity tariff hike, the Labour is protesting removal of subsidies from the power sector by the Federal Government which may have unwarranted the electricity tariff increase.

Apart from picketing of all disCos, Labour was at the offices of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), including the Abuja headquarters of the agency, the Ministry of Power and state offices of power distribution companies.
Indeed, the protests disrupted normal operations, preventing workers from resuming their duties for the day in many states and Abuja.

The protesters insisted on the reversal of the Band A tariff increase, chanting slogans and advocating for fairer electricity pricing.

Similarly, in Jos, members of the NLC and the TUC in Plateau State took action by blocking the entrance of the Jos Electricity Distribution Company headquarters, as well as picketing the offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in the Gold and Base axis of Jos, leaving workers stranded.

Eugene Manji, the Plateau state chairman of NLC, said while addressing journalists, “We have been directed from our national headquarters of NLC to ensure that we comply with the directives that all the distribution offices across the nation are locked. So that’s why we’re here to picket that of the Plateau State.

“All offices, not just this one, you are seeing, we have send our members to other places. Some have gone to Vom to ensure that there is compliance, this is applicable in all the other offices. So we are here to ensure total compliance that’s why we locked the offices”.

Manji added that the protest was for the whole day while the state chapter of NLC will report back to the headquarters.

The surge in electricity tariffs, implemented by the federal government, has triggered a wave of dissent among consumers and industry players alike, citing concerns over affordability and equitable access to essential services.

The protest at the JED office in Jos by NLC epitomises the mounting pressure faced by utility companies grappling with the repercussions of tariff hikes, as they navigate the delicate balance between public welfare and operational sustainability.