February 6, 2025
The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria, TUC, has rejected the proposed 65 per cent increase in electricity tariffs.
TUC, made it position known on Thursday, in a communique issued at the end of its first quarter of 2025 National Administrative Council, NAC, meeting held in Abuja.
President of TUC, Mr. Festus Osifo, who Addressed newsmen after the meeting, said the NAC, on behalf of the congress, “strongly” condemned the proposed 65 per increase in electricity tariffs.
“It is alarming that the government is considering this hike when the previous increment has already inflicted severe hardship on citizens.
“This proposed increase is not only ill-timed but also a deliberate act of economic oppression against Nigerians, who are already struggling under unbearable economic conditions.
“Furthermore, the improved service quality promised during the last tariff hike, particularly for consumers under the so-called “Band A” category, has not been realized.
READ MORE; NLC Halts Protest Over Telecom Tariff Hike As FG plans review panel.
“Most consumers, regardless of their tariff band, continue to live in perpetual darkness,” he said.
Osifo, said NAC also examined the planned 50 per cent increase in telecom tariffs and fully endorsed the position of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, rejection of the hike.
The TUC president said that the decision to increase the tariffs lacked proper consideration of its economic impact on already over burdened masses.
He reiterated that there must be meaningful consultations and engagement to explore alternatives and ensure policy adjustments that are fair, sustainable that would not strangulate the citizens.
Osifo, said that the congress also totally rejected proposed introduction of toll gates.
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While we acknowledge that tolling is a globally recognized method of generating revenue for road maintenance, it is unacceptable to impose tolls on roads that are unpaved, dilapidated, and riddled with potholes.
“The NAC views this as an insult to Nigerians, who are being asked to pay tolls on roads that are in total disrepair.
“Our highways are death traps, unsafe, abandoned, and filled with potholes. Rather than fulfilling its responsibility to fix and maintain these roads, the government is resorting to extortion.
“The Congress, therefore, demands that all roads earmarked for tolling must first be fixed, properly tarred, and repaired to international standards before any discussion on tolling can be entertained,” he added.
The TUC boss, said unionization is a fundamental right protected by national and international labour laws, therefore, NAC condemned any attempt to suppress unionization in the private sector.
He called on the government to uphold democratic principles with human face.
