Respect NASS suspension of hike in electricity tariff

A labour leader, Issa Aremu, has advised the Federal Government to compel power distribution companies to obey the directive of the National Assembly to suspend implementation of the new electricity tariff.

Aremu, the Secretary General, National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) gave the advice in a statement issued on Thursday in Kaduna.

"We call on stakeholders to take advantage of the proposed public hearing to bring to the fore all the issues dealing with the value chain in the power sector.

"We particularly commend the Senate for the directive to the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Federal Ministry of Power and Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to suspend forthwith the implementation of the 45 per cent increment on electricity tariffs and revert to the status quo.

"With this singular exhibition of prompt oversight responsibility, Nigeria’s 8th National Assembly has shown that the parliament is a vent for public grievances,’’ the statement said.

Aremu, the former Vice President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), said that Nigeria should move from power poverty to power prosperity through increased public investment in electricity generation and distribution.

He said that the regulatory commission must also be equitable to all stakeholders and look at the bigger picture of national development in its decisions.

"There cannot be industrialisation without uninterrupted cheaper industry inspired electrification.

"We are readily available to mobilise our members for any further action by the NLC and its civil society allies if the directive by the Senate is not obeyed.

"The union hereby commends the National Assembly led by the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara for the prompt intervention following the nationwide protest against the increase in electricity tariff," the labour leader said.

Aremu said that the senate's stand was a courageous identification with the Nigerian masses.