The organised labour in Osun blocked the main entrance of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) business hub in Osogbo on Monday, protesting over the recent hike in electricity tariff.

The action resulted from the joint directive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to picket the offices of power distribution companies (DisCos) in their respective states.

The action was to protest the recent increase in electricity tariffs approved by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

The union leaders locked the entrance gates of IBEDC Business Hub and other sub-offices in Osogbo and instructed security personnel not to allow anyone to gain access to the offices.

Abimbola Fasasi, TUC chair in Osun, said the protest was to make a statement and inform the federal government that the electricity tariff increment was unacceptable to Nigerians.

Mr Fasasi said, “The federal government must reverse its decision on electricity tariff increment. We don’t want it at this time. The government has to develop and improve electricity generation and supply.

“How many megawatts is Nigeria generating? They are just pumping money into power without results, and they want to heap the expenses on Nigerians.

“We are saying no to electricity increment and additional burden on Nigerians and that is why we are here today picketing IBEDC offices.” 

Mr Fasasi said he expected the labour action to yield results in the next two to three weeks, adding that if there is no reversal, labour will shut down the Nigerian economy with a total strike.

Christopher Arapasopo, NLC chair in Osun, said, “You will recall that on April 3, NERC announced an increase in electricity tariff, and this is killing Nigerians and Nigerian workers say no to this. We ought to enjoy a power supply for at least 20 hours, but I can not remember the last time we had power for eight hours.

“Recently, we had the issue of fuel scarcity, and again, we are battling a hike in electricity tariff. The federal government has to do the needful. The central working committee of the labour unions met on April 30 to take a stand against the electricity hike and that there should be a picketing of DisCos today.

“We hope that the federal government and DisCos will do the needful and reverse the tariff, but if they fail, the CWC will give directive on further steps to take.” 

(NAN)