By Chuks NZEH
The National Executive Council, NEC, of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has rejected the plan by authorities to increase electricity tariffs, and reclassify electricity users, describing it as a sham.
NLC stated this over the weekend at the commissioning of its Compressed Natural Gas, CNG, driven Mass Transit Buses for workers of the North East Zone of Nigeria, in Yola, Adamawa State.
In a communique issued after the NEC meeting and jointly signed by the President and General Secretary of the NLC, Comrade Joe Ajaero and Barr. Emmanuel Ugboaja, the organized labour called on workers and their allies to be on high alert if the authorities insists on increasing electricity tariffs.
“NEC unequivocally rejects the ongoing sham reclassification of electricity consumers by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, which seeks to forcefully migrate consumers
from lower bands to Band A under the guise of service improvement while, in reality, imposing unjustified extortion on the masses.
“This systematic exploitation, sanctioned by the Ministry of Power, is nothing short of economic violence against the working class and broader Nigerian
populace.
“It is evident that the ruling elite, acting as enforcers of global monopoly capital, are determined to further deepen the misery of the Nigerian people through incessant tariff hikes, increased taxation, and relentless economic strangulation.
“Whereas inflation has soared, wages remain stagnant, and the cost of living has become unbearable, the ruling class continues to transfer the burden of their fiscal irresponsibility onto the already impoverished working masses,” the communique read.
The organized labour also warned that any attempt to announce further electricity tariff increases will be met with mass resistance.
It resolved to immediately mobilize for a nationwide protest should the Ministry of Power and NERC proceed with their exploitative plan to further hike electricity tariffs under any guise.
“The NLC shall not stand idly by while the Nigerian people are subjected to the unholy machinations of capitalist profiteers and their state Collaborators.
“NEC acknowledges the agreement reached on February 21, 2025, between the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, and the federal government through the Joint 10-Man Committee, which reduced
the initially proposed telecommunications tariff hike from 50% to 35%.
“However, the Congress remains vigilant, recognizing the long history of infidelity. NEC categorically warns that should the implementation of the agreement on March 1, 2025 not be as agreed, the National Administrative Council, NAC, is mandated to immediately deploy all necessary instruments to enforce compliance in line with the February 10th, 2025 Central Working Committee, CWC, directive,” it noted.
The communique further stated that “after carefully examining the unfortunate events in the Labour Party, which was a creation of the NLC, and the opaqueness that pervades its activities, NEC-in-session directed the National Administrative Council, NAC, to take immediate steps which may include; rebranding, merger or forming of Coalitions to defend the interests of NLC and Nigerian workers in the Party with a view to reclaiming the Party and returning it to its original ideological roots.
“The Congress will not allow the Labour Party to be hijacked by reactionary forces who do not represent the aspirations of the working people and broader Nigerian People. The NLC remains committed to ensuring that the Party remains a true vehicle for the emancipation of Nigerian workers and the oppressed masses.”
NLC reaffirmed that ” the historical responsibility of the working class to resist all forms of exploitation
and oppression. It calls on all affiliates, industrial unions, and progressive allies to remain on high alert and fully prepared to engage in decisive mass action against all anti-people policies of the state.
