Organized Labour Protest Electricity Tariff Hike, Shut Down AEDC office in Minna.
By : Yahaya Zakka Minna.
Organized Labour in the early hour of Monday shut down the Minna office of the Abuja electricity distribution company AEDC to kick against hike on electricity terriff recently announced.
The protest which was organised by the Organized Labour was in line with the directives of the Organised National body.
Addressing the Abuja electricity distribution company AEDC Officials in State head office, opposite UK Bello Art theatre Minna, the state Chairman of the Organized labour, Comrade Abdulkareem Idris Lafene, said the proposed hike in electricity tariff is unacceptable and capable of causing untold hardship to citizens in the country.
According to him, Nigerians will not accept the current hike on electricity terriff of 200 percent, stressing that the current removal of fuel subsidy has greatly caused hardship to Nigeria’s and still fresh in their memory.
Comrade Idris Lafene then called on the Federal Government to immediately direct the authority concerned or the electricity company to revert it decision for the interest of common man or else the Organized labour will shut down the company facilities Nation wide.
Lafene observed that “why the increase in the teriff when AEDC can not provide consumers with 24 hour electricity supply, this is injustice, worker salary wage is yet to be addressed by the federal government and now increase in electricity terriff”.
He also stated that removal of petrol subsidy is still fresh in Nigerians memory, while calling on AEDC to discontinue with catigorization of consumers with bands,adding that what Nigerians want is twenty four hour power supply in the country.
In his remarks the State Chairman, Trade Union Congress, Comrade Ibrahim Gana advised Abuja electricity distribution company AEDC to provide electricity matters to its consumers and to also ensure twenty four hours (24hrs) power supply to its consumers in the state and the Country at large.
According to him Niger state being power state owned the four hydro generating dams that supply Nigerians with electricity, stressing that it is painful that Niger state is suffering from power outrage.
Addressing protester, Official of Abuja electricity distribution company, Minna distribution office, Kareem Ahmad, who represented the Regional manager, stated that the proposed increase in teriff is as a result a policy by the regulatory agency.
He said Nigerian electricity regulatory Commission NERC issued a directive on the increase in teriff of Band A costumers and not generality of the consumers in the country.
He stressed that Abuja electricity distribution company AEDC has no option than to comply to the directive of the regulatory Commission, he added.
He then mentioned that,he have taken note of their complaints and will forward it to the appropriate authority for necessary action.
