NLC and TUC Issue Strike Threats Over Electricity Tariff Hike in Nigeria

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have threatened to take strike actions in response to the recent electricity tariff hike approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

The decision to increase the tariff has been met with strong opposition from both labor unions, who have warned the President Bola Tinubu-led government to be prepared for the consequences of its actions.

In a statement, the NLC described the tariff hike as “insensitive and unpopular,” emphasizing that the government must be ready to face the repercussions of this decision.

The NLC Head of Information, Benson Upah, criticized the government’s persistence in implementing the hike despite widespread opposition from manufacturers and the general public.

The NLC argues that high power tariffs have never supported manufacturing, even in developed countries.

The recent increase in electricity tariff is seen as a move driven by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), rather than a decision made by the Nigerian government itself.

The NLC and the TUC have expressed their concerns over the potential impact of the electricity tariff hike on businesses and the overall economy.

They argue that the decision will create a hostile business environment and exacerbate the challenges faced by manufacturers and ordinary citizens alike.

Both labor unions have warned the government that they are prepared to take strike actions if the decision to increase the electricity tariff is not reversed.

They have called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to prioritize the needs of the Nigerian people and to reconsider the implications of the hike on the nation’s economy.