It has been reported that the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has disclosed that it would call out workers on industrial action, if the Federal Government implemented a proposed hike in electricity tariff.
According to reports, the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, made this known in reaction to speculations that the 11 power distribution companies have received approval to slightly increase electricity tariffs with effect from September 1.
The speculation reportedly came from an August 25 notification to customers from the Eko Electricity Distribution Company titled, ‘Re: Tariff increase notification,’ purportedly signed by the General Manager, Loss Reduction, Olumide Anthony-Jerome.
The notice stated that, “This is to officially notify you that there will be an increase in electricity tariff with effect from September 1, 2021. This increase is as a result of the nationwide mandate to implement the Service Based Tariff approved by our regulators.”
It read that, “Kindly note that the increase will be reflected on the energy bill for October 2021, which will represent energy consumption for September.”
It added that, “For our metered customers with internal vending arrangements, we urge you to adjust the rates accordingly to reflect the new tariff increase as released by the NERC.”
While reacting to this, Ayuba has stated that, “We wish to draw your attention to the wave of speculation, especially as widely reported in the media that there are fresh plans to grant approval to Electricity Distribution Companies to hike electricity tariff.”
He made it known that, “We write to remind the Honourable Minister that Organised Labour on September 28, 2020, through the Federal Government – Organised Labour Committee on Electricity Tariff agreed to freeze further increases in electricity tariff until the committee concludes its work and its report adopted by all the Principals in the Committee.”
He said that, “It is in light of this that we dismiss the ongoing speculation on increase in electricity tariff as mere speculations.”
He continued that, “We, however, find it prudent to put you on notice that should the government make true the swirling speculation by approving an increase in electricity tariff, Organised Labour would be left with no option than to deploy the industrial mechanisms granted in our laws for the defense of workers’ rights.”
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