Labour Leaders at the center
Zakari Haruna – Kaduna
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have activated a labour framework to picket the operations at the Kaduna Electric headquarters in Kaduna. This move is in response to the incessant increase in electricity tariffs, which has left many Nigerians, particularly workers, frustrated.
Comrade Ayuba Suleiman, the State NLC leader, welcomed union members to the picketing exercise, stating that Nigerians are tired of the constant increase in electricity tariffs. “We are saying no to incessant electricity tariff increases, no to the categorization of essential services, and no to the placement of customers in different bands. What we want is light,” he emphasized.
Abdullahi Alhassan Danfulani, the TUC Chairman, echoed similar sentiments, stating that Nigerian workers are tired of paying for darkness and the general hike in electricity tariffs. “We have made several efforts to draw the attention of the government to this issue, but to no avail. The law states that before any increase in services, stakeholders must be called for a meaningful discussion, but TRCN unilaterally hiked the price of electricity in Nigeria,” he said.
Danfulani called on TRCN to reverse the price hike and serve people with electricity, as there is no rationality in having different bands (A or B) for electricity consumers. “It’s only in Nigeria that communities or individuals buy transformers or poles and other electric infrastructure, only for the electric company to take over and still ask you to pay for electricity,” he lamented.
He also called on the government to prevail on TRCN to reverse the price hike for the benefit of Nigerians and Nigeria workers to get electricity. The picketing exercise, which will continue until 1 pm, will be a daily activity until the demands of the Organized Labour are met.
This move by the NLC and TUC is a clear indication of the frustration and anger among Nigerians over the constant increase in electricity tariffs. The unions are demanding a reversal of the price hike and a more inclusive approach to decision-making on essential services like electricity.
The picketing exercise is peaceful, with union members carrying placards and banners, chanting slogans, and singing solidarity songs. The atmosphere is peaceful, but the determination and resolve of the union members are palpable.
As the picketing exercise continues, it remains to be seen how TRCN and the government will respond to the demands of the Organized Labour. One thing is clear, however: Nigerian workers will no longer tolerate the incessant increase in electricity tariffs and the lack of transparency in the decision-making process.
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