The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has strongly opposed the planned increase in electricity tariff by 40%, starting from July 1, 2023.
A statement issued on Thursday by the President of NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero, described this proposed action as a display of insensitivity and callousness, indicating a deliberate disregard for the well-being of consumers, particularly those who are economically disadvantaged.
The NLC’s statement, released in Abuja, expressed grave concerns regarding the planned tariff hike and emphasised the detrimental impact it would have on the public.
Comrade Ajaero, speaking on behalf of the Congress, condemned the move and urged the relevant authorities to reconsider their decision, considering its adverse effects on the populace, especially the impoverished segments of society.
Part of the statement reads, “The plan to increase electricity tariff by 40 by July 1st is both insensitive and callous and reflects an organised indifference to the well-being of consumers, especially, the poor ones.
“The massive increase is explained away as a response to the over 100 per cent increase in the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
“Details reveal a movement in inflation from 16.9% to 22.41 (threatening to needle 30), and a shift in exchange rate from N441 to N750.
“We believe not even these figures are a justification for this reckless proposed tariff increase.
“The issue of capacity to pay and quality of service delivery are not only germane but superior to any rationalisation by market logic.
“The service providers in spite of sundry support have not been able to meet the threshold of 5000 megawatts.
“Coupled with this, there have been surreptitious increases without notice in violation of statutes.
“The inherent risk in the new regime of tariff is that there is no control, implying that by August, consumers will pay new rates.
“The other risk is that by the time other product or service-rendering entities come up with their new prices or rates, the ordinary person would have been compacted into dust.
“We would want to advise apostles of the market who have called NLC all sorts of names to check their conscience.
“The rate at which they are going is highly combative and combustible. With contemplation of payment of school fees in tertiary institutions and increases in privately-owned ones in addition to other costs/tariffs on the way, life in Nigeria could truly be Hobbesian.
“The market economies which the Market Fundamentalists seek to emulate, have in place socio-economic safeguards which we do not have.
“In light of this, our advice is that this proposed tariff hike should be shelved for our collective safety.”
