The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) says plans by the federal
government to increase electricity tariff by 40 percent from July 1, 2023, is
“insensitive and callous”.
On Monday, the federal government hinted at removing the N50
billion monthly electricity subsidy in the sector owing to the revenue
shortfall.
The development is coming a few weeks after the removal of
petrol subsidy which now has petrol retail prices skyrocketing.
Reacting to this in a statement issued on Thursday, Joe Ajaero, NLC president, condemned the intentions of the federal government, saying it reflected an organised indifference to the wellbeing of consumers.
“The massive increase
is explained away as a response to the over 100 percent increase in the pump
price of premium motor spirit. Details reveal a movement in inflation from 16.9
percent to 22.41 percent (threatening to needle 30), and a shift in the
exchange rate from N441 to N750,” the statement reads.
“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 products 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 the 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.”
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NLC nobody take you serious not even workers. Tell. Our president that state govt workers do not welcome salary increase bcs they don't benefit. Even if all nig budget will be given to gobs they will not increase. Tell him state govt directors salary is less than 100k. What we need is ensuring refineries work and get fuel at 300/ litre
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