Any try to reclassify electrical energy shoppers by the Nigerian Electrical energy Regulatory Fee (NERC) will likely be resisted, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has stated.
The Nationwide Union of Electrical energy Workers (NUEE) has additionally rejected the deliberate reclassification.
Appearing Basic Secretary of NUEE, Dominic Igwebike, said this in an announcement issued on Sunday, saying the migration of shoppers isn’t acceptable.
He stated, “NUEE unequivocally rejects the continuing sham reclassification of electrical energy shoppers by the Nigerian Electrical energy Regulatory Fee (NERC), which seeks to forcefully migrate shoppers from decrease bands to Band A underneath the guise of service enchancment whereas, in actuality, imposing unjustified extortion on the plenty. This systematic exploitation, sanctioned by the Ministry of Energy, is nothing wanting financial violence in opposition to the working class and the broader Nigerian populace.”
NUEE argued that it’s evident that the ruling elite, appearing as enforcers of worldwide monopoly capital, are decided to additional deepen the distress of the Nigerian individuals by incessant tariff hikes, elevated taxation, and relentless financial strangulation. Whereas inflation has soared, wages stay stagnant, and the price of residing has grow to be insufferable, the ruling class continues to switch the burden of their fiscal irresponsibility onto the already impoverished working plenty.
“NLC-in-session warns that any try to announce additional electrical energy tariff will increase will likely be met with mass resistance. Consequently, the Congress resolved to right away mobilise for a nationwide protest ought to the Ministry of Energy and NERC proceed with their exploitative plan to additional hike electrical energy tariffs underneath any guise. The NLC shall not stand idly by whereas the Nigerian individuals are subjected to the unholy machinations of capitalist profiteers and their state collaborators,” it said.
On its half, rising from its Nationwide Govt Council (NEC), which occurred in Yola, Adamawa State, the NLC accused the Minister of Energy, Adebayo Adelabu, of taking on the work of NERC, which is statutorily saddled with the accountability of regulation.
The NLC stated: “The Congress reiterates that no society can sustainably develop underneath a regime of company plunder and neoliberal enslavement. The Nigerian working individuals should, subsequently, stay resolute, organised, and uncompromising within the collective battle for a good and equitable Nigeria the place the dominance of fats cats on the expense of the plenty will likely be significantly lowered to create a socioeconomic stability.”
On the 35 per cent tariff hike in telecommunications companies, the NLC insisted that the settlement reached was for a 35 per cent enhance with the federal government, not a 50 % increment.
It stated: “NEC categorically warns that ought to the implementation of the settlement on March 1, 2025, not be as agreed, the Nationwide Administrative Council (NAC) is remitted to right away deploy all crucial devices to implement compliance consistent with the February tenth, 2025, Central Working Committee (CWC) directive. NEC reaffirms the historic accountability of the working class to withstand all types of exploitation and oppression. It calls on all associates, industrial unions, and progressive allies to stay on excessive alert and totally ready to interact in decisive mass motion in opposition to all anti-people insurance policies of the state.”
The NLC declared that the justification given by NERC for the electrical energy hike in 2024 is that the hike applies solely to Band A shoppers, who make up solely 15 % of electrical energy shoppers and make the most of 40 % of the nation’s electrical energy consumption. Consequently, it was said that the rise wouldn’t have an effect on most people.
The NLC stated it requested some salient questions in its publication of April 14th, 2024, which have but to be answered.
It stated: “Who’re the Band A shoppers? What do they do? Who’re the shoppers of the Band A shoppers? Who bears the brunt of the electrical energy hike?”
It added that most people will likely be most affected by this, saying they’re the shoppers and end-users of the Band A services and products.
It noticed that the extra prices will likely be transferred to the widespread man, who will likely be not directly exploited, however their dwindling buying energy and rising impoverishment.
“Quite than prioritizing a tariff evaluate, shouldn’t the Minister give attention to enhancing the general effectivity and reliability of the facility sector?
“The sector’s monetary woes, together with a shortfall of N1.6 trillion in wholesale tariffs, are plain. Nonetheless, passing on the prices to already burdened shoppers will not be the simplest resolution. It’s appalling that the Minister seems extra thinking about rising the poverty stage quite than assuaging the struggling of the plenty, as this transfer by the Minister is geared in the direction of generalizing the electrical energy tariff at an astronomical quantity,” it said.
The NLC insisted that Nigerians deserve a dependable, environment friendly and inexpensive electrical energy provide system that helps financial progress, improves high quality of life, and enhances total well-being.
It added that as an alternative of a tariff enhance, the Minister ought to prioritise measures to extend energy technology, enhance transmission infrastructure, and guarantee inexpensive tariffs for shoppers.
It said: “The facility sector has been privatized for over 12 years, and the federal government has not deemed it match to evaluate the privatization of the electrical energy sector, which has failed.
“The contemplated enhance in electrical energy tariff ought to be commensurate with the companies rendered. Nigerians shouldn’t be paying for darkness. The Honourable Minister of Energy should rethink his priorities and work in the direction of discovering options that profit all Nigerians, quite than putting an undue burden on them.”
