Labour, where is thy sting?
Reports had it that Labour picketed the offices of the distribution companies across the country.
They did so as a mark of their rejection of the 45 per cent increase in electricity tariffs, which takes effect this month.
The picketing, whatever it was worth, was followed by a meeting between government and labour. Not much is known about what transpired between government and the labour unions. But what is known to all is that labour has not been talking after the nationwide picketing of the distribution companies.
There is also the reported case of a court order obtained by a concerned Nigerian, which forbids the electricity distribution companies otherwise known as Discos to go ahead with the new tariffs. The court has since ordered a temporary suspension of the hike, pending the determination of the suit. We also know of a contempt application, urging the court to move against NERC for undermining the court’s authority by going ahead to increase tariff in disregard to a subsisting court order. There have been responses and counter motions from NERC. But after the forth and back movement, a Federal High Court has finally barred NERC from going ahead with the tariff hike until the determination of the suit, challenging its action.
Meanwhile, the distribution companies are having a ball. They are jibing at those who are opposed to the increase. For them, the tariff increase has taken effect and there is no going back on it. Whatever anybody is doing is, therefore, sheer waste of time. The demonstrations and picketing by labour unions are, for the discos, sheer acrobatics; an exercise in futility.
These are some of the vibes issuing forth from the disputed electricity tariff increase.
The sudden silence, which has enveloped the issue after the initial ‘garagara’ is a sign of what is about to happen. By the end of this month, electricity consumers in Nigeria will be served with the new, increased tariff and they will have no choice but to pay. NERC has decreed that they must pay. Government, which ought to protect the people is behind NERC and the distribution companies. It has asked Nigerians to pay, no matter the condition. In the face of this establishment gang-up, the people are helpless. They cannot but obey the last order.
Source: Sun News
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