Revert to quo before negotiations – NLC to FG

The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, on Monday, insisted that the Federal Government reverse the band A electricity tariff before negotiating with the union.

On April 3, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, announced the approval of a new electricity tariff for band A customers.

The adjustment was from N68/kwh to N125/kwh.

However, speaking at the Federal Ministry of Power, the NLC president, Joe Ajaero said the government must return to the “status- quo before any negotiation with the workers.”

The Power Minister, Chief Adebayo Adelabu who was absent because he reportedly attended the Federal Executive Council meeting sent the Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Mamudan Mamman.

He told the protesting unions that owing to the intervention of the National Assembly, the minister was set to invite the workers to negotiate the tariff.

Responding, Ajaero said without returning to the status quo before engagement, the negotiation could be under pressure.

According to Ajaero: “Go back to status quo, even before you engage us, you have to return to the status quo. So that none of us will negotiate under any pressure and you now start from there. But it can’t be at band Z and band A and ask us to come and discuss.“

Earlier, he dropped the hint that the National Union of Electricity Employees, NUEE, would be directed to stop power supply nationwide should the government fail to return to the old band A tariff in a week.