TUC vows to resist hike in electricity tariff

In from Ali Smart . . .
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) on Thursday vowed to resist any move to further increase electricity tariff in the country, saying it was anti-people.
In a statement issued in Abuja and signed jointly by the President, Boboi Kaigama and Secretary General, Comrade Musa Lawal the body said workers cannot be made to pay for service they hardly enjoy and at such a high rate.
The Congress said it does not make sense for workers who earn less than N20,000 monthly to be made to pay almost half of his monthly salary for electricity only which they don’t use regularly.
In the statement, the body said: “The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has noted with dismay recent media reports on plans by electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) in the country to increase the tariff on electricity by an average of 49.4 percent.
“We understand that a number of proposals have already been submitted to the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) pursuant to this objective. In view of the present harsh economic realities in the land, it is our view that the proposed increase is wrong and lacks human face.
“Why should the masses be at the receiving end of every wrong and retrogressive policy in the country? Why must they always pay for what the rich consume more of? What sense does it make for a man who earns less than N20,000 per month to be made to pay over N8,000 for electricity bill alone within the same month?

Read also: Residents, Enugu DISCO square up over electricity tariff

“Why should they pay so much for what they do not use regularly enough, with officers of the distribution companies rarely bothering to read the analogue metres? Why should these questionable issues that are spared no thought in other climes always take centre stage in Nigeria? Surely Nigerians deserve a much better deal.
“Also, the Congress is informed that NERC is considering introducing measures that will facilitate reduction of the rate of the fixed charge on consumers. What has been happening all along is same with what is obtainable in the telecom sector. They either assign tones to subscribers or enroll them on plans that attract daily, weekly or monthly deductions.
“We say no to this nonsensical idea. The N750 charge is fundamentally fraudulent and unjust and must be outrightly abolished. Anyone canvassing its sustenance or any increase in tariff does a grave disservice to the nation.
“Implementation of the planned increase would amount to an invitation to anarchy. It is totally oppressive, indefensible and retrogressive. Little wonder that the NERC has been foot-dragging on the issue of making prepaid meters readily available to consumers of electricity because of the excessive billing they have been imposing on all and sundry. There is no gainsaying the fact that the present billing system is crazy, and any increase in tariff at this time is bound to make it even crazier.”

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