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Tariff hike: FG begs workers as electricity union insists on strike
The Federal Government has appealed to members of the National Union of Electricity Employees not to down tools over the recent electricity tariff hike.
This is as the union insisted that they would withdraw their services should the government fail to rescind its decision on the removal of subsidy on the tariff payable by Band A customers.
The National President of the union, Adebiyi Adeyeye, in an interview with our correspondent on Sunday said the union stood by its warning to the Federal Government.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission had on April 3 raised the electricity tariff for customers enjoying 20 hours of power supply daily.
Customers in this category were said to be under the Band A classification and the increase raised their tariff to N225 per kilowatt-hour, from N66KWh.
In its earlier reaction, the union had warned the government to reverse the tariff hike saying, “If the government fails to address the crippling cost of electricity, NUEE will not hesitate to take strong action, including the swift withdrawal of our members expected to be used by DisCos to impose the tariff hike on the good people, to protect the livelihood of our members.”
Adeyeye said the supply of 20 hours of electricity is not feasible with the current infrastructure.
“We just want the citizen to know that this thing is not possible, it is not feasible, you cannot give what you don’t have. When we don’t have the energy to give to the people and you ask our people to go out and collect such money, you know it is dangerous. Most times we don’t disclose what to do to the public because our sector is very critical to the nation,” he stated.
While saying that the union has yet to give any ultimatum on strike, he stressed the NUEE is advising the government to do the needful “before we will withdraw our services”.
He explained, “The reason why we are saying this is simple, you ask our members to go the the public to collect 20-hour tariff from people that are not even experiencing a four-hour supply of electricity. There is no way there won’t be crises between our staff and those customers.
“We’ve recorded a lot of attacks on our members, even with the present situation. And these guys have nothing to defend themselves. They have targets to meet where there is no supply. Our members are being threatened by the DisCos, even when they know that what they are promising Nigerians is not feasible”.
He disclosed that the union must save its members from daily attacks, saying the hike would aggravate the attacks.
“We told our members that they cannot go out and collect that kind of tariff from unmetered customers. More than 70 per cent of these Band A customers are not metered. The government is just promising what we don’t have. We are the ones working there, we know we don’t have the transformers to distribute such load. 20 hours of electricity is not possible except for those on eligible lines. We were not carried before the tariff hike,” the union leader emphasised.
Adeyeye, who said the union would not accept any threat from anyone said, “On the issue of strike, it is not what we normally do directly. We said it that we would withdraw our services if the government fails to do the needful, and we are still under that ‘if’. They still have time to do the needful. It is very difficult for us to collect such money. We don’t have the equipment to supply even 10 hours of electricity to the people.
“We stand on our point, and they can’t bring people from anywhere to come and do this work. We Nigerians will do this work ourselves and heaven will not fall. If they fail to do the needful, we will withdraw our members, and we will never accept any threat from anybody. Nigeria belongs to all of us”.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has urged the union not to withdraw its members.
In an interview, Adelabu, who spoke through his media aide, Bolaji Tunji, said the government was doing everything to improve supply in Nigeria and everybody will be happy at the end of the day.
“We just want to appeal to the labour union to understand what led to this. This is not about strike. it is about understanding; so that we can all work together. It is not anybody’s joy that there are blackouts all the time. These steps are being taken to solve the problems in the power sector. I beg the labour union to understand that this will galvanise the economy and create jobs.
“I want to appeal to the union to bear with us. It is for the good of the nation,” he stated.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, will depart Abuja tomorrow, Tuesday, March 17, for a landmark state visit to the United Kingdom at the invitation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
The visit, the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years and the first hosted by a British monarch at Windsor Castle, marks a significant milestone in Nigeria-UK relations. President Tinubu will be hosted at Windsor Castle from Wednesday, March 18, to Thursday, March 19.
During the stay, Their Majesties will invite the presidential couple to view a special Royal Collection exhibition featuring items related to Nigeria. Private discussions between King Charles and President Tinubu will follow, alongside meetings with organisations involved in interfaith dialogue.
The day will culminate in a State Banquet hosted by the Royal Family in honour of the Nigerian guests.President Tinubu will also hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street, paving the way for expanded high-level engagement.
The discussions are expected to result in the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding and agreements covering trade, investment, defence, and cultural cooperation.
A key highlight includes President Tinubu witnessing the signing of a major £746 million financing agreement between UK Export Finance (UKEF), the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), and the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The deal will support the refurbishment of Nigeria’s critical maritime infrastructure at the Lagos Port Complex (Apapa Quays) and Tin Can Island Port Complex.
The President will serve as guest of honour at the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, celebrating modern arts and culture, and attend a reception with Nigerian and British business leaders as well as the diaspora community.
The presidential entourage includes Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Attorney General and Minister of Justice Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN; Minister of Solid Minerals Dele Alake; Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun; Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Dr. Jumoke Oduwole; Minister of Culture and Creative Economy Hannatu Musawa; Minister of Communications and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani; Minister of Defence General Christopher Musa (rtd); National Security Adviser Malam Nuhu Ribadu; and Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed.
President Tinubu will return to Nigeria at the conclusion of the visit, which aims to deepen bilateral ties in immigration, trade, investment, security, and cultural exchange while reinforcing the enduring historical bond between the two nations.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed that a minor but avoidable train incident occurred this morning near Asham, involving a rear locomotive and an adjacent passenger coach on one of its services.
According to the NRC’s official statement, the incident took place at approximately 10:30 a.m. and was caused by a coupling issue, resulting in contact between the rear locomotive and the following coach.
Several passengers sustained injuries in the event. The corporation stated that those affected were immediately provided with medical attention and transported to a nearby healthcare facility for further treatment. Importantly, no fatalities were recorded.
Emergency response teams were activated without delay, and technical crews have been deployed to the site. The Safety Investigation Bureau (SIB) has also arrived to carry out a comprehensive investigation in accordance with standard safety protocols.
The affected train reached Idu station around 10:39 a.m., approximately 38 minutes behind schedule, after time was taken to detach and remove the involved rear locomotive and coach SP 0006.
The NRC emphasized that passenger safety remains its highest priority.
The corporation assured the public that all required steps are being taken to resolve the situation and to maintain the safe and reliable operation of its train services moving forward.
The NRC said it will provide additional updates as more details emerge from the ongoing investigation.
News
Military Troops Battle ISWAP Attack in Maiduguri
The affected areas include Dala, Bulamari and Ajilari Cross, where residents reported intense gunfire coming from the outskirts of the Borno State capital.
Residents in parts of Maiduguri were thrown into panic late Monday night after heavy gunfire was heard across sections of the city.
Witnesses say the sound of gunshots triggered fear and confusion, forcing many residents to flee their homes in search of safety.
The affected areas include Dala, Bulamari and Ajilari Cross, where residents reported intense gunfire coming from the outskirts of the Borno State capital.
Security sources say suspected fighters linked to Boko Haram or ISWAP launched an attack on the outskirts of Maiduguri, prompting a swift response from Nigerian troops.
Nigerian Air Force fighter jets were also deployed and are currently engaging the assailants as efforts continue to repel the attack.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the incident, while residents remain on edge as security forces work to contain the situation
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