National Telescope national telescope newspaper
By Ekpenyong Emmanuel
Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, has vehemently criticized the power sector’s banding system, labeling it as “another form of fraud” and “419.”
Ajaero’s remarks came in response to the Federal Ministry of Power’s proposed plan to increase electricity tariffs.
Speaking in Yola, Adamawa state capital, Ajaero emphasized that the banding system, which categorizes electricity consumers into bands A, B, C, and D, is unfair and exploitative.
He argued that the services provided remain poor, regardless of the band, and that the system is designed to defraud Nigerians.
Ajaero also pointed out that the Federal Government has no authority to increase electricity tariffs, as it has deregulated the sector.
He stressed that any tariff increase must be approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) after consulting with relevant stakeholders, including consumer protection agencies and labor movements.
The NLC president reiterated the labor movement’s opposition to any attempt to increase electricity tariffs, citing the already dire economic conditions faced by Nigerians.
He also highlighted the labor movement’s efforts to protect the rights of workers and the common man.
