The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has described the recent announcement of a hike in electricity tariff in the country as “callous”.
Head of Information at the NLC headquarters, Benson Upah, said this on Wednesday, Daily Trust reports.
Recall that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Wednesday announced a tariff increment from N68 kilowatt hour (kwh) to N225 kwh.
The NERC said the tariff increment was made following consultation with the 11 electricity distribution companies (Discos) as well as the inability of the Federal Government to pay over N2.9 trillion that would accrue by the end of 2024 as electricity subsidy for failure to enable cost reflective tariff.
However, the NLC explained that a hike in electricity tariff at this time would make the operating environment more hostile for manufacturers with a possible ripple effect on the economy.
“The government’s decision is not only insensitive, it is callous. It further pauperises consumers, especially workers whose wages are fixed and insufficient.
“It similarly makes the operating environment more hostile for manufacturers with potential for an astronomical rise in cost of goods and services or in the worst-case scenario, more closures and loss of jobs.
“The only people who stand to gain from this mindless social violence against the people are the World Bank and IMF. Pity! We will get back to you on that (next step) after the appropriate organs decide,” Upah said.
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