The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, says there are very strong concerns that the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, might go ahead with the planned increase in electricity tariff from tomorrow, April 1, 2020.
In a statement signed by the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, the Labour said the concerns in the public domain are not helped by reports that the NERC has not issued any reversal order to Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs), on the planned tariff increase in power utility.
NLC stated that it frowns at, completely condemns, and totally rejects any plan to inflict further pain on Nigerians at this very trying period of the novel Corona Virus pandemic through increase in electricity tariff.
The Labour stressed that all the leaders of various affiliate unions were unanimous in rejecting the planned increase in electricity tariff during the recent interactive session with the NERC in Kano and wish to state that any increase in electricity tariff would only convey a deafening expression of insensitivity to the plight of the Nigerian people who are currently dealing with the social scare, income hemorrhage, economic squeeze and mortal dread of COVID-19.
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The umbrella body of Nigerian workers said at a time like this, other countries of the world battling the COVID-19 pandemic are expanding social welfare and putting in place economic stimulus including distribution of free foods, free healthcare services, sanitary kits, utility bills reduction, debt moratorium, and cash support just to insulate their citizens from the harsh realities of the war against the novel Corona Virus and the case in Nigeria cannot be different.
The NLC urged the NERC not to embark on any fruitless adventure that would cast aspersion on the good intentions of Mr. President. Nigerians and indeed the global community who have a real enemy to deal with and that is COVID-19, stressing that It would be totally unwise to make enemies out of ourselves and exacerbate the high voltage social tension that currently cascades all over the country.
The NLC statement ended by saying to the NERC that a word is indeed enough for the wise.
