NLC Blows Hot, Threatens Nationwide Strike Over Electricity Tariff Hike

Israel Adeleke

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News reports that in a move towards stopping the government alleged extortion, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly condemned the ongoing reclassification of electricity consumers by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), describing it as a fraudulent scheme to impose higher tariffs on Nigerians under the guise of service improvement.

OTN News further reports that this warning which was issued in a communiqué signed by its General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Jos, noted that the NLC rejected what it termed the “forceful migration” of consumers from lower bands to Band A, a classification that attracts higher electricity tariffs.

According to the union who further accused the government of engaging in “systematic exploitation” through the Ministry of Power’s endorsement of the reclassification, argued that the move by the FG constitutes “economic violence against the working class and the broader Nigerian populace.”

The communique further alleged that the ruling elite is deliberately worsening the suffering of Nigerians by consistently increasing electricity tariffs, introducing new taxes, and implementing economic policies that strangle the livelihoods of ordinary citizens.

“Whereas inflation has soared, wages remain stagnant, and the cost of living has become unbearable, the ruling class continues to transfer the burden of their fiscal irresponsibility onto the already impoverished working masses,” the communiqué read,

The NLC, however, warned that any further attempt to increase electricity tariffs would be met with fierce resistance, declaring its readiness to mobilise for a nationwide protest should the government and NERC proceed with the planned hike.

“The NLC shall not stand idly by while the Nigerian people are subjected to the unholy machinations of capitalist profiteers and their state collaborators,” the union asserted.

OTN News observes that this development follows growing concerns among consumers over the rising cost of electricity, with many Nigerians already grappling with economic hardships.