Members and leaders of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC) and other affiliate labour unions in Lagos state are currently picketing the head office of Ikeja Electric today.
The action led to the shutdown of the company’s premises to any activities.
The reason for the industrial action according to members and leaders of the various labour unions present is the recent hike in electricity tariff by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) which is being implemented by electricity distribution companies across the country.
Speaking on the development, a labour leader, Francis Igbokwe from the Railway Workers Union stated that the reason for the protest was the over 200% hike in electricity tariff and further called on the relevant authorities to reverse the hike.
According to him, the classification of places according to bands is discriminatory and meant to divide Nigerians on the need to oppose the policy in unison.
He stated, “We are calling for a reversal of the increase in electricity tariff to the old tariff. That is what is manageable even though the power supply is not as promised.”
“The Band A, B and so on is used to discriminate. They don’t give anybody light in Nigeria that is the issue. They are using this to divide and rule so that you will say you are Band A, you will not join the struggle against what they are doing”
