Members of the National Union of Electricity Workers have received an appeal from the Federal Government, asking them not to walk out in protest of the recent increase in electricity tariff hike.
This is a result of insistence from the union, which emphasized that if by chance the government did not reverse its decision to remove the tariff subsidies and Band A customers had to pay, they would withdraw their services.
Adebiyi Adeyeye, the union’s national president, stated it stood by its warning to the federal government in an interview with our correspondent on Sunday. On April 3rd, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission raised the electricity tariff for customers enjoying 20 hours of electricity supply daily.
The increased rate for customers falling within this category, who were reportedly classified as Band A, was N66 per KWh previously to N225 per KWh. The union had earlier issued a warning, stating, “If the government fails to address the crippling cost.”
“We wish to communicate to the general populace the inherent impracticality and potential dangers associated with the current proposition. It is fundamentally unsustainable to expect the provision of services beyond our capacity and demand payments from citizens without adequate resources, which poses significant risks to our personnel and the public.
Our sector plays a pivotal role in the nation’s infrastructure. As such, there are instances where the disclosure of certain operational details is deemed imprudent for national security and stability reasons. While we have refrained from setting a specific request regarding potential strike action, it is incumbent upon the government to heed our advice and address the underlying issues promptly.
Failure to do so may necessitate the withdrawal of our services. The rationale behind our stance is straightforward: tasking our members with the collection of fees from customers already experiencing severe electricity shortages not only places undue strain on our workforce but also fosters an environment ripe for conflict and discord between our personnel and the public they serve.
Therefore, it is imperative for all stakeholders involved to recognize the urgency of the situation and take proactive steps to mitigate the looming crisis before it escalates further. Collaboration and decisive action are paramount to avert the potential repercussions of continued inaction and ensure the sustainable provision of essential services to the populace.”
We’ve informed our members to refrain from enforcing such tariffs on unmetered customers, as over 70% of Band A customers lack meters. The government’s promises exceed our infrastructure capacity, and achieving 20 hours of electricity is unrealistic except for those on eligible lines. We should have consulted before the tariff hike. We won’t tolerate threats, and regarding a strike, we’ve stated that we’ll withdraw services if the government fails to act appropriately. They still have time to address this situation. It’s challenging to collect such fees when we lack the necessary equipment to provide even 10 hours of electricity for the people.”
