Stike: Nigerian Govt’s silence over electricity hike reversal disappointing – NLC

The Nigeria Labour Congress has described the federal government’s silence on the April 3 electricity tariff hike as disappointing.

NLC disclosed this in its communique on Tuesday after its National Executive Council meeting where it suspended its indefinite strike for one week.

The development comes after the federal government in a meeting with organized labour on Monday agreed to pay minimum wage higher than N60,000.

However, the government has yet to say anything about the second part of labour’s demand, which is electricity tariff reversal.

NLC expressed disappointment over the government’s silence and lack of concrete action regarding the reversal of the electricity tariff hike and the abolition of the apartheid classification of electricity consumers into Bands.

“The NEC reaffirms that these issues are critical to alleviating the financial burden on Nigerian workers and the general populace. The electricity tariff hike and discriminatory Band classification remain unacceptable and must be addressed alongside the wage increase,” it stated.

Recall that on April 3, the NERC approved tariff increment of over N200 per kwh for customers getting 20-24 hours power supply.

The hike generated reactions among Nigerians.

In reaction, the government earlier announced a minor reduction of N18, bringing it down to N208.80kwh for band A customers.

However, unsatisfied with the reduction, the NLC, the Trade Union Congress and other organizations called for the complete reversal of the electricity tariff hike.

It was part of the demand presented to the federal government, alongside the issue of minimum wage.