Members of the organized labour across Nigeria staged protests on Monday, picketing the offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and distribution companies (DisCos) over the recent hike in electricity tariffs.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) jointly directed their members to engage in the picketing action nationwide.
In a joint statement, NLC’s Acting General Secretary Chris Uyot and TUC’s Anka Hassan stated, “The action will jointly take place on Monday, 13th of May, 2024 nationwide simultaneously.”
The protests saw a significant turnout of workers, demanding an immediate reversal of the tariff hike.
At the NERC headquarters in Abuja, NLC President Joe Ajaero led the protests, emphasizing the workers’ demands.
In Kaduna, union members blocked the main gate of a distribution company, preventing staff from entering the premises.
Similar scenes unfolded in Ilorin, Kwara State, where union members barricaded the entrance of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, demanding a reversal of the tariff hike.
The picketing actions extended to other states, including Ondo and Edo, where union members shut down the offices of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company.
In Zamfara, protesters prevented staff from accessing the offices of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company and NERC.
Chairman of the TUC in Zamfara State, Comrade Saidu Mudi, urged the Federal Government to urgently reverse the tariff hike to alleviate the burden on the populace.
The protests are set to continue until the demands for a reversal of the tariff hike are met.