The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Adamawa State chapter, has shut down the regional offices of the Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) and the office of the Electricity Regulatory Commission of Nigeria (ERCN), protesting the increase in electricity tariffs, News About Nigeria reports.
The NLC State Chairman, Emmanuel Fashe, addressed members of the Union at the premises of the picketed offices in Yola on Monday, stating that the action is in protest to the ever-increasing rate of electricity tariffs in the state and country at large.
He noted that the electricity charges are exorbitant and indiscriminate, and cannot be afforded by the majority of Nigerians.
He also noted that the State Chapter of the Union is not acting on its own, but on the orders of its headquarters.
Recall that the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had a few days ago issued NERC a May 12 deadline to reverse the hike in electricity tariff to N65/kwh or risk having its commission and DISCO offices nationwide picketed.
Fashe further explained that categorising power supply into different bans was equal to creating division among Nigerians, adding that it was an attempt to eliminate the middle class.
“Our action to picket these offices was a sequel to the directive from our headquarters, and it is a nationwide action.
“The tarriff hike was from N65 to N223, which is far above reasonable charges.
“The only services that are yet to be taxed by the federal government are the oxygen we breathe and the rainfall on our farms,” he stated.
He, therefore, called on the Federal Government to revert back to the initial cost of the power supply, maintaining that Nigerians would not be paying for what they did not consume.
