The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have accused distribution companies (DisCOs) of exploiting electricity users in Nigeria with their tariffs and high bills.

The labour unions stated this in Enugu on Monday during a protest at the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) office over the Band A tariff hike.

Over the weekend, the unions directed members nationwide to picket the Nigeria Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) and distribution companies in their states until they reversed the Band A tariff.

Members protested, chatted solidarity songs at the EEDC office, and carried placards that read, “NERC and EEDC, Stop Electricity Tariff Now,” “NERC, Stop Banding Electricity for Nigerians,” and “Say No to Hike in Electricity Tariff.”

Speaking during the protest, the state chairman, TUC, Ben Asogwa, noted that many Nigerians were forced to pay for what they did not use through estimated bills by DiSCos.

Mr Asogwa said a tariff increase was never a solution to Nigeria‘s problem, stressing that Nigerians are currently faced with the challenges of fuel subsidy removal and the high cost of living.

He advised NERC and Enugu EEDC to stop the exploitation and reverse the status quo.

“In a country where there are price regulations, the government agency will increase the tariff to over 240 per cent. We have not seen such, even when things add money; it is done geometrically.

“Tariff increases are not a benefit to Nigerians, and we want NERC and EEDC to reverse the status quo.

“EEDC says it invested money in the system but is not making a profit. Anybody that is not making a profit in business should leave and let other organisations come,” he advised.

On his part, the state chairman of the NLC, Fabian Nwigbo, said the labour was no longer comfortable with the hike in the electricity tariff.

According to him, picketing of NERC and DisCo offices will continue nationwide until further notice.

He said, “We have come to register our grievances, and we are coming back tomorrow; this place is going to be under lock and key until you remove all the bands.

“Nigerians are facing a lot of challenges already and now the electricity tariff has been hiked to an unbearable price of N222 per unit.

“We are not going to tolerate bands in Nigeria or allow them in our country. Whether it is bands A, B, C or Z, we will not tolerate it.

“They said they are not working today because of Monday’s sit-at-home but by tomorrow, they will not work here until they remove the bands,” Mr Nwigbo said.

No EEDC official received the protesters, as the head office on Okpara Avenue was under lock and key, apparently because of the Monday sit-at-home in the state. 

(NAN)