Labour says FG is wicked as NERC denies increasing electricity tariffs

The Trade Union Congress has threatened a showdown with the Federal Government over the alleged hike in electricity tariffs.

Report had it Tuesday that Federal Government has again increased the electricity tariff payable by power consumers across the country.

Approval for the hike in tariff was given by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, as the increase which varies, based on different consumer classes, took effect from January 1, 2021.

However, a few hours after the news of the tariff hike broke, the NERC issued a statement, refuting a 50 per cent hike as had been reported in some circles.

Reacting to the drama, TUC described the decision as ‘wicked’ and ‘another betrayal of trust’ coming in the middle of ongoing negotiations by the FG and the organised labour on the November 1, 2020 hike.

A in a statement by the TUC President, Quadri Olaleye, and the Secretary-General, Musa Lawal, asked the government to revert to the old price or face the consequences of its decision.

The congress wondered “why this government espouses unfriendly policies that are capable of crippling the economy.”

The TUC stated, “Does it mean there is no other way this government can creatively generate revenue? It has become obvious that the outrages from the organised labour and the masses and the series of negotiations we had with the government were just cosmetic and hypocritical.