Electricity tariff increase: We will resort to self-help – NLC president, Dr. Waba

National President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Dr. Abdullahi Waba has described the 45% increase in electricity tariff as outrageous and an exploitation of Nigerians in view of the economic downturn in the country.

Speaking on Monday in a protest to the National Assembly, he explained that the NLC would take to self help if the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, does nothing to reverse itself, noting that the protest was still a long journey to strike.

“We will definitely take to self help if things were taken for granted and that does not mean that it is automatic that we will embark on strike, it is still a long journey to strike so all available opportunities will be exploited by both parties,” Waba noted.

He disclosed that appropriate Committee has been set up to liaise with authorities involved while stressing that they will follow due process in all their actions.

Waba added that portfolio businessmen were behind the tariff. He said they were operating through in-house cronies to exploit Nigerians even in clear breach of due process that should be followed.

“The so called investors were behind the hike who use our own collaborators in breach of due process”, he said.

He noted that consultations were not made with all relevant stakeholders, while also reiterating the union’s stance that it would not accept the tariff for any reason.