Organised Labour pickets BEDC office in Akure over tariff hike

The Organised Labour in Ondo state on Monday shut down the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) Business District office in Akure, protesting over the recent increase in electricity tariffs by the federal government.

Members of organised labour are protesting the increase in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A category.

On April 3, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved an increase in electricity tariff for customers in the classification — from N66 to N225 per kilowatt.

The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress in the state arrived at the BEDC Business District office located in NEPA Roundabout in Akure early to prevent staff of the company from accessing their offices.

The members of Labour blocked the main entrance into the IBEDC building singing solidarity songs.

Addressing journalists, the Ondo State Chairman of NLC, Comrade Victor Oladele Amoko, described the recent hike in electricity tariff as unjustifiable.

Comrade Amoko noted with dismay the untold economic hardship the hike was causing Nigerians.

Similarly, the State Chairman of TUC, Comrade Clement Fatuase, urged President Bola Tinubu to ensure that his administration’s policies were masses friendly.

Comrade Fatuase said the BEDC and other DisCos offices nationwide would be shut down until the government reverses the new electricity tariff hike.