Electricity tariff: Labour storms DisCos offices in Lagos, Oyo, Osun

Members of the Organised Labour, on Monday, May 13, 2024, stormed various offices of electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to protest the recent hike in electricity tariff.

The action was a result of the joint directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to picket offices of electricity distribution companies in their respective state capital.

The unions gave the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) a three-day ultimatum to reverse the electricity tariff increment.

In Lagos State, the workers were seen at the corporate headquarters of the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, singing and calling for the reversal of the Band A tariff.

In Oyo State, protesters stormed the office of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), picketing the same.

The workers, in Osun State, blocked the entrance gates of IBEDC Business Hub and other sub-offices in Osogbo, the state capital, with an instruction to security personnel not to allow anyone to gain access into the offices.

Speaking during the protest, the TUC Chairman in Osun State, Abimbola Fasasi, said the protest was to make a statement and let the Federal Government know that the electricity tariff increment was unacceptable to Nigerians.

Labour demands electricity tariff hike reversal, issues 3-day ultimatum

Fasasi said: “The Federal Government must reverse its decision on electricity tariff increment. We don’t want it at this time.

“The government has to develop and improve electricity generation and supply.

“How many megawatts is Nigeria generating? They are just pumping money into power without results and they want to heap the expenses on Nigerians.

“We are saying no to electricity increment and additional burden on Nigerians and that is why we are here today picketing IBEDC offices.”

Fasasi said he expected the labour action to yield results in the next two to three weeks, adding that if there is no reversal, labour will shut down the Nigerian economy with a nationwide strike.

Also speaking, NLC Chairman in the state Christopher Arapasopo said the position of labour is that the recent increase in the electricity tariff by the NERC should be reversed.

“We hope that the FG and DisCos will do the needful and reverse the tariff, but if they fail, the Central Working Committee (CWC) of the labour unions will give directive on further steps to take,” he said.

The Star