In response to escalating nationwide protests organized by labor unions demanding the restoration of power subsidies and the reversal of the recent hike in electricity tariffs, the Federal Government has announced plans to convene a pivotal meeting next week aimed at addressing these pressing issues.
Mrs. Florence Eke, spokesperson for the Ministry of Power, disclosed this development to The PUNCH following disruptive protests staged by labor unions at the ministry’s headquarters in Abuja on Monday.
However, despite this forthcoming engagement, organized labor has vowed to persist with their protests indefinitely, warning of potential drastic actions should the government fail to heed their demands.
The protests, which paralyzed activities at the Federal Ministry of Power and the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), also disrupted operations at distribution companies nationwide. These demonstrations were triggered by the Federal Government’s decision to raise electricity tariffs and eliminate subsidies in the power sector.
The NERC announced a significant increase in electricity tariffs for Band A customers, representing approximately 15% of the total 12.82 million power consumers across the country. This move, which saw tariffs surge by 240%, aimed to eliminate subsidies and save the government an estimated N1.5 trillion.
Despite assurances from government officials and the NERC Chairman, Sanusi Garba, that steps are being taken to address the concerns raised by labor unions, the protesters remained steadfast in their demands for a complete reversal of the tariff hike.
Labor union leaders, including the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, expressed discontent with the current state of electricity supply in the country, highlighting the disparity in power distribution and the lack of stakeholder engagement in tariff adjustments.
Responding to the protests, the Director-General of the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), Mr. Adewale Oyerinde, emphasized the need for open, focused, and engaging negotiations to address the economic challenges faced by both workers and businesses.
