TUC Threatens Showdown With FY Over Electricity Rise
The federal government was ordered to either reverse the increase in electricity tariffs or face serious conflicts.
On Tuesday, the congress of trade unions threatened the FG.
He called the decision “evil” and “another betrayal of trust” amid ongoing negotiations between FG and trade unions over a rate hike on November 1, 2020.
The union has asked the government to return to the old price or face the consequences of its decision.
This is stated in a statement by TUC President Quadri Olaleye and Secretary General Musa Laval entitled “Electricity Growth: Another Betrayal of Trust”.
Congress asked “why this government is pursuing a hostile policy that could paralyze the economy.”
He said that many companies that could not pay for the previous rate hike closed their stores or moved to neighboring countries.
TUC said: “Does this mean the government has no other way to creatively generate revenue? It became obvious that the atrocities of the organized workers and the masses, as well as the series of negotiations that we had with the government, were only cosmetic and hypocritical.
“There is so much deception and laziness in the system; there is hardly any promise they kept.
“Just yesterday (Monday) we read again that the University Union of Universities is withdrawing its members because the same government has broken promises made a few days ago.
“How can the government continue to raise tariffs if we haven’t decided what it did before? It is absurd, ridiculous and pure evil. “
Congress noted that this became the subject of jokes among Nigerians because they did not want to launch an offensive due to poor economic conditions.
It said: “Before the pandemic began, the economy was in dire straits, and we thought it wise not to make our situation worse. Sacrifice means nothing to these people who made us tighten our belts when they loosened.
“The darkness intensifies the criminal activity, and now they decided to keep us in the dark, thinking that their high fences would save them. We ask the government to take responsibility at least once. Nigerians would appreciate knowing what we have gained from border closures. Insecurity has neither stopped nor stopped the smuggling of rice and other products. ”
The TUC said the government should not push unions to the wall with its tough policies.
He said: “This is not just politics without weighing the pros and cons. How many people can afford to pay less on their latest bill than this recent one? An organized workforce should not be pushed against a wall because it will not really do any good. the government must return to the old price or be ready to accept the result of this decision. This is a betrayal of trust and a shame. “
