Babatunji Wusu –
The leadership of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) has criticized the federal government’s recent hike in electricity rates.
On April 3, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) hiked electricity pricing for users who enjoy 20 hours of power every day.
According to the Commission, users in this category are classified as Band A, and the hike will result in their paying N225 kilowatts per hour rather than the current N66.
The NUEE sharply condemned the recent spike in energy tariffs in a statement signed by its National President, Adebiyi Adeyeye, on Sunday, and requested that it be reversed.
The union stated that it would not hesitate to withdraw its members, which would let distribution companies to implement the increased pricing if the raise was not reversed.
NUEE stated that the tariff increase would disproportionately harm those who rely heavily on power for their daily necessities, and that the shift in pricing dynamics threatens to exacerbate inequities among Nigerians by putting undue weight on the less privileged.
Adeyeye maintained that there was nothing wrong with the government subsidising electricity because the leaders of sophisticated countries did the same for their citizens.
The statement partly read, “It’s not out of place to have the government subsidise electricity. In some advanced countries, they still do that till now. Germany, for example, has a long history of supporting renewable energy resources through feed-in tariffs. The subsidy is paid based on the amount of electricity produced, and it helps to offset the initial cost of installing renewable energy systems.
“Also, the United States has various programs that provide subsidies to low-income households to help them afford their electricity bills. These programs are typically administered by state and local governments, and they can take the form of direct bill discounts or assistance with weatherization measures that can help reduce energy consumption.
“The recent electricity tariff hike is a blatant disregard for the economic struggles of Nigerian workers. Not even in a society where minimum wages are ambivalently doubtful.
“If the government fails to address the crippling cost of electricity, NUEE will not hesitate to take strong action, including the swift withdrawal of our members expected to be used by DISCOs to impose the tariff hike on the good people, to protect the livelihood of our members.
“I, however, call upon all Nigerians to join us in raising our voices against this injustice. Together, we can force the government to prioritize the well-being of its citizens over corporate interests. Our unwavering commitment remains to safeguard the interests of our members and ensure equitable access to electricity for all Nigeria.”
