Union rejects planned increase in electricity tariff

chika ebuzor

October 26, 2015 5:14 AM

What sense does it make for a man who earns less than N20,000 per month to be made to pay over N8,000 for electricity bill alone within the same month?

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The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has warned the ‎electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) not to go ahead with the planned increase in tariff.

Sun Newspapers reports that TUC’s President, Bobboi Bala Kaigama said “There is no gainsaying the fact that the present billing system is crazy, and any increase in tariff at this time is bound to make it even crazier.”

Adding that “Why should the masses be at the receiving end of every wrong and retrogressive policy in the country? Why must they always pay for what the rich consume more of? What sense does it make for a man who earns less than N20,000 per month to be made to pay over N8,000 for electricity bill alone within the same month? Why should they pay so much for what they do not use regularly enough, with officers of the distribution companies rarely bothering to read the analogue metres? Why should these questionable issues that are spared no thought in other climes always take centrestage in Nigeria? Surely Nigerians deserve a much better deal.”

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He also said “Also, the Congress is informed that NERC is considering introducing measures that will facilitate reduction of the rate of the fixed charge on consumers. What has been happening all along is same with what is obtainable in the telecommunication sector. They either assign tones to subscribers or enrol them on plans that attract daily, weekly or monthly deductions. We say no to this nonsensical idea. The N750 charge is fundamentally fraudulent and unjust and must be out rightly abolished. Anyone canvassing its sustenance or any increase in tariff does a grave disservice to the nation.”

chika ebuzor