The Leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Ondo state on Monday shutdown the Ondo State headquarters of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), located at NEPA area of Akure, the state capital.
The protest is in compliance with organised labour leadership’s directive over the recent hike in electricity tariff approved by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The protesters who blocked the main gate prevented the staff of the company from gaining entrance to the premises as the protesting union members demand for the reversal of the tariff hike
The labour leaders arrived the BEDC head office in Akure early in the morning to prevent staff of the company from resuming work by blocking the main gate.
Addressing newsmen at the picketing of the Discos office, the Ondo state Chairman of the NLC, Comrade Victor Oladele Amoko described the recent hike in electricity tariff as unjustifiable.
Comrade Amoko flanked by the State JNC Chairman, Comrade Ademola Olapade and other affiliate union chairmen, noted with dismay the untold economic hardship the hike would have been causing the citizenry.
His words: “We discovered that the FG is so silent over the tariff hike and we observed that the FG is intentionally supporting them to frustrate us. We say no to increment in tariff. Before now, we don’t have adequate electricity supply despite paying hug among of money.
“In Akure for instance, for good four days, we won’t have electricity supply and they keep increasing the tariff. We are saying enough is enough.
“What they’re doing is clandestinely shock-changing the entire populace. We don’t want it anymore”, he added.
On his part, the State Chairman of TUC, Clement Fatuase called on President Bola Tinubu to stop various harsh economic policies his administration had been introducing in the last one year.
Comrade Fatuase said the BEDC and other Discos offices would remain shut down until the government reverses the new electricity tariff hike.
Fidelis David in Akure
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