Electricity Tariff Hike: Reps Deplore Labour’s Absence At Public Hearing

House of Representatives has expressed displeasure over the absence of organised labour at a special public hearing on electricity tariff hike.

The lawmakers insisted that the absence of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) depicted disregard for Nigerians in preference for the International Labour Organisation (ILO) meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.

They made their feelings known at the hearing organised by the Joint House Committee on Power, Commerce, National Planning and Economic Development and Delegated Legislation, which was held in Abuja yesterday.

According to the lawmakers, the labour unions cited the ongoing annual conference of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland, as the reason for their absence.

At the event’s commencement, Hon. Olufemi Bamishele (APC, Ekiti) raised concern that the organised labour was more interested in traveling to Geneva when there were issues of urgent national importance.

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He said: “This modus of Gestapo approach to address matters cannot help Nigerians. This is a platform for all stakeholders to present their sides so that justice can be done. We are talking of estimated billing, non-metering and here the unions are absent. This is very sad. They did not also submit their memo and can’t find one of the senior members to come here, and this speaks volumes for their respect for constitutional authority.”

Also faulting the labour unions’ absence, the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, said that as observed by lawmakers, the House condemned the failure of NLC and TUC, which are expected to be partners in nation-building.

“I know NLC has always spoken out on national policies, but I am worried that they would prefer this critical period to be in Geneva rather than partner with parliament over government policies. It is fair enough to criticise the executive and it is our responsibility to check the excess of the executive if such exists.

“I am sure they will take corrections as we partner with them. I commend the committee for sending them a series of letters and I suggest you still ask the NLC to submit their Memorandum to the House,” he said.

In his presentation, the minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, said the introduction of band A with a higher tariff crashed electricity subsidy from N3 trillion to N1 trillion.

Adelabu insisted that without the increase in electricity tariffs, the expected subsidy would be close to N3 trillion, adding that instead of piling up government debt, the ministry created the model for people to pay higher on Band A.