From Olanrewaju Lawal, Birnin Kebbi
The Organised Labour Unions, comprising the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC), have picketed the offices of the Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) and Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, to protest the recent increase in electricity tariffs.
Acting on directives from the national headquarters, the unions ensured that all the offices were locked and staff complied with their orders.
NLC Chairman, Kebbi State, Comrade Murtala Usman, described the new tariff as uncalled for, citing the lack of stable electricity supply in Nigeria. He emphasised that Nigerians are facing severe hardship due to the increased cost of living and cannot afford further burdens.
Usman called for the immediate reversal of the tariff increase by the Federal Government, NERC, and distribution companies. He also expressed solidarity with the members of the Nigerian Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE), who have been harassed while carrying out their duties due to public misconception about their role in the tariff increase.
Usman criticised the privatisation of the electricity sector, arguing that it has not solved the issue of stable electricity supply. He pointed out that Nigerians are still paying for faulty transformers and damaged cables, even though they are not receiving adequate power supply.
The picketing exercise was also attended by TUC State Chairman, Comrade Atiku Alkali, NUEE Chairman, Comrade Ibrahim Tusha’u, and Comrade Muhammed Usman Anache, the Secretary General of Initiative for Transparency and Justice.