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The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, led a protest today at the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) headquarters in Abuja. The protest centered around the recent increase in electricity tariffs, which the NLC vehemently opposes.
Ajaero accused NERC of side-stepping proper protocol and ignoring the needs of Nigerians. He pointed out that the NLC sent numerous letters requesting a meeting with the commission before any tariff increase could be implemented.
“We are here on a peaceful protest,” Ajaero stated. “We remind NERC that increasing tariffs requires consultation with all stakeholders, including labour. We are completely unaware of the basis for these new tariffs.”
Power Poverty and Unequal Distribution
A central theme of the NLC’s protest was the issue of “power poverty” in Nigeria. Ajaero highlighted the abysmal state of electricity generation in the country, stating that current output wouldn’t even be sufficient to power Lagos alone.
He further criticized the alleged disparity in electricity distribution proposed by the new tariffs. “It’s unacceptable to tell us some Nigerians are more important than others,” Ajaero declared. “How can you justify some getting 20 hours of electricity while others are left with only two?”
Seeking Dialogue and Transparency
The NLC’s protest is a call for transparency and dialogue from NERC. The union seeks a meeting with the commission to discuss the rationale behind the tariff hike and push for a more equitable distribution of electricity across the country.
The protest comes amidst ongoing frustration over Nigeria’s power sector. Citizens grapple with frequent blackouts and unreliable electricity supplies, further hampered by the recent tariff increase.
The NLC’s actions put pressure on NERC to address these concerns and ensure a more sustainable and equitable solution for Nigeria’s electricity woes.
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