TUC to FG: Electricity tariff hike recipe for unrest

The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC has described the hike in electricity tariff by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC as a recipe for unrest in the country.

The Deputy President of the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, Dr Tommy Okoh, said the hike is unacceptable, urging the government to allow the poor to breathe.

According to him, “The hike in the electricity tariff from 66/kwh to 225/kwh for people who enjoy electricity supply for 20 hours per day is totally unacceptable and a recipe for unrest.

“This shows clearly that Nigeria is not ready for 24 hours electricity supply. As we speak, you cannot point anywhere in Nigeria that people are enjoying 20 hours of electricity supply, not even at the airport where it is expected for economic reasons.

“We think the government has goofed again especially at this time of socioeconomic challenges where the cost of living is very exorbitant and the salary of the workers remained static.

“Today, we are still battling with the fuel subsidy removal without any corresponding remedy and yet the increase in the electricity tariff without the supply of electricity. This government should know that they were not voted into office for the enslavement of the citizens but to protect and better the lots of the masses. This is an indication that the poor can no longer breathe.”

Recall that the NERC had  indicated that a total of 1,974,385 electricity consumers would be affected by its recent hike in tariff.

Vanguard learnt that the tariff hike was aimed at making a significant cut on the estimated N2.9 trillion electricity subsidy in the 2024 fiscal year.

It was further learnt that the hike became inevitable following cash flow constraints arising from FG’s inability to pay obligations to the Nigeria Electricity Market. Vanguard