The Federal Government is set to convene a crucial meeting next week to address the demands raised by organized labour regarding the restoration of power subsidy and the reversal of the electricity tariff hike. This decision comes in response to protests staged by labour unions nationwide, disrupting activities at government offices and distribution companies.
Mrs. Florence Eke, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Power, confirmed the impending meeting, stating, “The ministry will call for a stakeholder meeting by next week where all issues will be addressed because one of the points they raised was that there was not enough consultation before the tariff was increased.”
However, organized labour has threatened to escalate the protests indefinitely if the government fails to heed their demands. The protests, triggered by the Federal Government’s decision to raise electricity tariffs and remove subsidies, have disrupted operations at the Federal Ministry of Power, Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), and distribution companies nationwide.
The tariff hike, announced by NERC, saw a 240 per cent increase in electricity tariffs for Band A customers, affecting approximately 15 per cent of total power consumers in the country. The removal of subsidy is projected to save the government N1.5 trillion.
Labor unions, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), had given NERC until May 12 to reverse the tariff hike.
Speaking on the protests, the National Treasurer of the NLC, Hakeem Ambali, warned, “If after a week nothing happens, labor will go into full action.”
During the protests, labor leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the tariff hike, emphasizing the hardship it imposes on Nigerians.
The President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, “criticized NERC for increasing tariffs without adequate consultations with stakeholders, highlighting the insufficient power supply across the country.”
In response, the Chairman of NERC, Sanusi Garba, “assured that the commission would revisit the demands made by organized labor.”
However, the protesters demanded a “total reversal of the tariff hike, expressing skepticism about the commission’s commitment to addressing their concerns.”
Labor unions also raised concerns about the safety of electricity workers, citing threats and hardships resulting from the tariff hike.
The President of the National Union of Electricity Employees, Adebiyi Adeyeye, “urged the government to reverse the hike within 24 hours, warning of further action if no action is taken.”
Protests were staged at various electricity distribution company offices across states, including Lagos, Delta, Ekiti, Osun, Kaduna, and others, disrupting official activities and calling for the reversal of the tariff hike.