Showdown as workers protest new electricity tariffs {Photos}

Organised labour, under the aegis of Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress, TUC, have started a nationwide protest against recent electricity tariffs hike by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC.

It would be recalled that the NLC had called for the protest after NERC ignored calls for the hike to be suspended.

Speaking on the strike, Ayuba Wabba, President of the NLC President, said the tariff hike is outrageous and unacceptable, claiming it is the fifth since 2012.

According to Wabba, “It is a nationwide protest, meaning that the 36 states of the Federation including Abuja will be involved in this action.

“Our members have been sufficiently mobilized and are ready to go. If you are an electricity consumer and you are not happy with the bills electricity companies serve you every month, you are invited to join this protest rally.”

Protesters were seen in Abuja with placards expressing their displeasure over the tariff increase. Some of the placards read “We won’t pay more for darkness”.

The protest, which started at about 7am when some of the workers gathered at Labour House in the Central District Area, was expected to proceed to NERC office and the National Assembly.

Similarly, commercial activities were grounded in Benin, the Edo State capital, as workers and residents, match in protest against the hike.

The protesters, marched from the National Museum to the head office of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company on Akpakpava Road, barring entry and exit from the premises of the company.

Also in Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi State, protesters grounded activities at the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, EEDC, Abakaliki office.

The protesters, who sang songs like “solidarity forever” and “we have decided to fight for the masses,” stormed the office as early as 8 am.

The protest forced staff of the EEDC to lock up the office and suspend the collection of electricity bills.

It would be recalled that NERC effected the new tariff regime on February 1 against popular outcry.

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now