NLC to meet stakeholders over increase in electricity tariff

The Nigeria Labour Congress on Sunday said it would meet with stakeholders for a decision on the refusal of the Nigeria Electricity regulatory Commission to reduce electricity tariff.
The President of the NLC, Ayuba Wabba, told the News Agency of Nigeria that the meeting, scheduled for next week, was important as Nigerians cannot afford the new regime of bills.
Wabba said: “Next week, we are going to have a review meeting with all stakeholders as NERC has refused to reverse the increased tariff.
“At the last meeting we had with the Senate President and other members of the National Assembly, a directive was given that the tariff should be suspended until there was a public hearing.
“But the status quo has remained and Nigerians have continued to be exploited.”
According to Wabba, Ghana, for instance, has tried to canvass for increase in its electricity tariff.
He noted that the Ghanaian people protested against the increase and when the government waded into the issue, the tariff was reduced by 50 per cent.
Wabba said the Ghanaian Government had started using gas and crude oil as other means of generating and supplying electricity.
The NLC president also said the present administration should take a cue from the Ghanaian government to improve electricity supply in the country.
He said: “In our case, we are paying for darkness.
“It is a big problem to even provide meters in the country and this could continue.
“By next week when we meet with our allies, if the government does not reduce cost or NERC is unable to reverse itself, then expect a pronouncement from us.
“We may have to go to the streets again because this is one issue that we must fight and we must continue to fight for our rights.
“People have seen the exploitation in the system.
“If government wants to deliver on power, there is no way monopoly will be beneficial.
“What is happing now is monopoly.
“To a large extent, they have monopoly over the distribution and the transmission but I am not sure that they have added any value to the lives of the people.
“That is why Nigerians will continue to experience darkness.”
NAN.