Unions picket electricity firms over tariff hike today
Barely a week after the 11 electricity distribution companies (Discos) implemented the approved tariff regime, a coalition of customers and pressure groups are taking to the streets to protest the hike today in Abuja and the 36 states, the Daily Trust has learnt.
While the Discos are appealing for support from the groups, a joint statement at the weekend by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress ( TUC), and civil society groups said they will hold the nationwide protest today over the 45 per cent increase in electricity tariffs.
They had initially planned the protest last Monday when the tariff regime kicked off but halted it to ensure proper preparations, sources said. Security last Monday was beefed up by a combined team of the police and Civil Defence corps at the Abuja Disco headquarters.
“It is a nation-wide protest, meaning that the 36 states of the federation including Abuja will be involved in this action,” Ayuba Wabba, the NLC President, said.
Meanwhile, the Discos’ group have called on their customers to cooperate on the new tariff regime, saying they will keep to their promises of improved services and aggressive metering.
A statement from the spokesman of the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), Sunday Oduntan, yesterday said the recent increase of electricity in the national grid to 5,075megawatts (mw) was historic.
“ANED, on behalf of its members, will like to re-assure all our customers nationwide that the continued increase in generation over the last few months will continue to translate to more electricity in their homes.
“We are appealing to organized labour and fellow compatriots to please join hands with the Federal Government and the power sector to improve the supply of electricity in the country,” he said.
Wabba has also sought the support of electricity users on the protest saying: “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.”
It will start at the Labour House in Abuja with a march to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) headquarters some two kilometres away, then to the Abuja Disco, and to the National