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The recent increase in tariff for Band A customers from N206.80 per kilowatt-hour to N209.5/KWh has been strongly criticized by the Nigeria Labour Congress.
The NLC is demanding an immediate reversal of the new tariff and has accused the Federal Government of being insensitive and insincere.
In a statement released on Thursday, the President of NLC, Joe Ajaero, stated that the rise in electricity tariff demonstrates a high level of arrogance and impunity.
He expressed concerns that the increase will lead to more companies going out of business and create additional hardships for consumers.
The Distribution Companies (DisCos) announced the new tariff hikes on Wednesday, attributing the increase to high operational costs caused by inflation and exchange rate fluctuations, as approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
Ajaero pointed out that during the recent national strike, the Federal Government had promised to address the hike in Band A tariff from 68/kWh, and questioned why the subsequent action taken was another tariff hike instead of a reduction.
He also highlighted the previous 250 per cent tariff hike, which led to national outcry and organized labor protests, and expressed disappointment that instead of a reversal, there was another increase. This, he argued, further demonstrates the insincerity of the government.
