The 45 per cent increase in electricity tariffs, has incited the labour unions in Nigeria to embark on a Nationwide protest. The tarrif hikes were announced by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission and is effective from February 1.The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Trade Union Congress (TUC), civil society allies and electricity consumers, took to the streets today air out their disapproval of the increase, especially owing to the fact that power supply is poor.
Protestors said that their action had become necessary after all other efforts to make NERC shelve the idea of electricity tariff increase failed. They said that the increase was not in accordance with section 76 of the Power Sector Reform Act, 2005. They added that most consumers are not metered in accordance with the signed privatization Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of November 1, 2013, which stipulates that within 18 months gestation period, all consumers must be metered. Different power firms across the country tried to discourage the labor unions against the proposed protest. The said that the electricity tariff hike was necessary so as to help the power sector operators in improving electricity supply in the country.
 

Read more at Makanaka Munsaka