NLC rejects migration of lower electricity tariffs to band A
By Joan Nwagwu
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected plans by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to migrate electricity consumers from lower tariffs to Band A.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the NLC held in Yola, Adamawa State.
The communique, jointly signed by Mr Joe Ajaero, President of NLC and Mr Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary of the Congress, was made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja.
The labour leaders said NEC “unequivocally” rejected the ongoing reclassification of electricity consumers by the NERC.
They said the plan to migrate consumers from lower bands to band A under the guise of service improvement would lead to unjustified extortion of the masses and economic hardship for the working class and broader Nigerian populace.
According to them, the migration would further deepen the misery of Nigerians.
“Whereas inflation has soared, wages remain stagnant, and the cost of living has become unbearable.
“The NEC-in-session warned that any attempt to announce further electricity tariff increases would be met with mass resistance.
“The Congress resolved to immediately mobilise for a nationwide protest should the Ministry of Power and NERC proceed with their exploitative plan to further hike electricity tariffs under any guise,” they said.
The labour leaders also said that NEC acknowledged the agreement reached between NLC and the federal government through the Joint 10-Man Committee, which reduced the initially proposed telecommunications tariff hike from 50 to 35 per cent.
They said NEC resolved that if the agreement was not implemented by March 1, it will direct its National Administrative Council (NAC) to deploy all necessary instruments to enforce compliance.
On the State of the Labour Party, they said NEC-in-session directed the National Administrative Council (NAC) to take some immediate steps.
The steps, according to the labour leaders, included, rebranding, merger or forming of coalitions to defend the interests of NLC and Nigerian workers in the Party with a view to reclaiming the Party and returning it to its original ideological roots.
They said the congress would not allow the Labour Party to be hijacked by reactionary forces who do not represent the aspirations of the working people and broader Nigerian.
They urged workers to remain resolute, organised, and uncompromising in the collective struggle for a fair and equitable Nigeria. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Rotimi Ijikanmi
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