The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has vowed to take industrial action against the Tinubu-led government if the recent hike in electricity tariffs is not reversed.
The Federal Government initiated a 240% increase in tariffs for power consumers in the ‘A’ category.
However, this decision was strongly criticized by the Nigeria Labour Congress. They warned the government to be prepared for the negative effects of the tariff hike, which they called cruel and unpopular. The Congress emphasized that if the government chooses to prioritize the advice of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, they should be ready to face the consequences.
The Head of Information, NLC, Benson Upah, told one Saturday PUNCH, “We did say earlier that this tariff hike is insensitive and unpopular. So if the government elects to continue with the hike or persists in something that is evil, I’m sure it is equally prepared for the consequences of that evil.
“The manufacturers are saying this is going to hurt businesses and make the environment more hostile, and we also said so. There is no place in the world where high power tariffs have supported manufacturing. Not even in the developed world.
“So, it completely beats our imagination for the minister to have the audacity to say that the policy would continue. What this means is that the minister and the President are not in charge. It is saddening that the minister elected to pursue an unpopular policy.”
Upah added, “It shows that the minister and the President are not in charge. The people in charge are the World Bank and the IMF. They are the ones driving this highly injurious policy.
“So, our leaders should be prepared for the consequences of this highly injurious policy. That is what I’ll say about this issue for now.”
