Members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) in Plateau State staged protests on Monday, blocking the entrance of the headquarters of the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED) and picketing the offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Jos.
Led by the State Chairman of the NLC, Eugene Mangji, the union members demanded the reversal of the recent hike in electricity tariffs. They expressed their determination to continue the protest until their demands are met.
The NLC and TUC had earlier issued a joint ultimatum to NERC, urging the commission to withdraw the tariff hike by May 12, 2024, or face unprecedented industrial action. In a letter to the Chairman/CEO of NERC, they condemned the tariff hike as exploitative and called for its immediate reversal.
The unions denounced NERC for allegedly collaborating with electricity distribution and generating companies to impose oppressive pricing regimes on Nigerian citizens. They demanded the restoration of fair and affordable electricity tariffs, threatening further action if their demands were not met.