By Bukola Kayode
The Nigeria Labour Congress has threatened to go on a nationwide protest should the Federal Government implement with its proposed electricity tariff increase.
It also threatened to shut down operations of telecommunications companies should they fail to implement the 35 per cent hike in tariff agreed with government, against the 50 percent earlier approved through the Nigeria Communications Commission, NCC.
NLC’s warning comes just as the National Union of Electricity Employees warned the Federal Government against plans to hike electricity tariffs, saying Nigerians should not be paying for darkness.
In a communiqué issued at the end of its National Executive Council meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, on February 28, 2025, which was made available to journalists on Sunday, the NLC rejected what it called a “sham reclassification” of electricity consumers by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.”
The communiqué signed by the President and General Secretary, Joe Ajaero and Emma Ugboaja, respectively, said: “NEC unequivocally rejects the ongoing sham reclassification of electricity consumers by the NERC which seeks to forcibly migrate consumers from lower bands to Band A under the guise of service improvement.
‘’This systematic exploitation, sanctioned by the ministry of power, is nothing short of economic violence against the working class and broader Nigerian populace.
“It is evident that the ruling elite, acting as enforcers of global monopoly capital, are determined to further deepen the misery of the Nigerian people through incessant tariff hikes, increased taxation, and relentless economic strangulation. ‘’Whereas inflation has soared, wages remain stagnant, and the cost of living has become unbearable, the ruling class continues to transfer the burden of their fiscal irresponsibility onto the already impoverished working masses.
“NEC-in-session warns that any attempt to announce further electricity tariff increases will be met with mass resistance. Consequently, the Congress resolves to immediately mobilize for a nationwide protest should the ministry of power and NERC proceed with their exploitative plan to further hike electricity tariffs under any guise.
“NLC shall not stand idly by, while Nigerian people are subjected to the unholy machinations of capitalist profiteers and their state collaborators.”
On the 35 per cent tariff hike in telecommunications services, the communique stated: “NEC acknowledges the agreement reached on February 21, 2025, between NLC and the federal government through the joint 10-man committee, which reduced the initially proposed telecommunications tariff hike from 50 per cent to 35 per cent.’’However, the Congress remains vigilant, recognizing the long history of infidelity. NEC categorically warns that should the implementation of the agreement on March 1, 2025, not be as agreed, the National Administrative Council, NAC, is mandated to immediately deploy all necessary instruments to enforce compliance, in line with the February 10, 2025 Central Working Committee, CWC, directive.
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