News

Tariff hike: FG begs workers as electricity union insists on strike

Published

2 years ago

April 15, 2024

257 Views

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.

Related Topics:Electricity Union Featured FG Tariff Hike

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Entertainment

Gbenga Bada Urges NIJ Students: Embrace Passion, Professionalism in Entertainment Reporting

Published

7 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Charles Flames

23 Views

Seasoned Nigerian entertainment journalist Gbenga Bada has called on students of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) to approach entertainment reporting with unwavering passion and strict adherence to professional standards.

Speaking at a recent engagement with students at the prestigious journalism institution in Ogba, Lagos, Bada, who serves as Assistant Entertainment Editor at *The Nation* newspaper, emphasized that the dynamic field of entertainment journalism demands more than mere reporting—it requires genuine enthusiasm and ethical rigor to stand out in an increasingly competitive media landscape.

“Entertainment reporting is not just about chasing headlines or celebrity gossip,” Bada reportedly told the aspiring journalists. “It thrives on passion for the arts, culture, and stories that shape our society, combined with the professionalism that ensures accuracy, fairness, and credibility.

“Bada, known for his in-depth coverage of Nigeria’s vibrant entertainment industry—including music, film, and celebrity features—drew from his extensive experience to inspire the students.

He highlighted the importance of building strong ethical foundations amid the rise of digital media and social platforms, where misinformation can spread rapidly.

The session, part of NIJ’s ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between academia and industry practice, resonated with attendees, who praised Bada’s practical insights into navigating the challenges and opportunities in entertainment journalism.

As Nigeria’s creative sector continues to grow globally, voices like Bada’s underscore the need for a new generation of reporters equipped not only with skills but with the drive to elevate the profession.

News

Lagos Labour Union Praises Gov Sanwo-Olu for 100% Year-End Bonus and Car Gifts to Workers

Published

7 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Charles Flames

18 Views

The Lagos State Joint Public Service Negotiating Council (JNC), Trade Union Side, has issued a strong commendation to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu for approving a 100% end-of-year bonus for public servants in the 2025 service year and presenting car gifts to outstanding officers.In a press statement signed by Comrade Biodun Bakare, Secretary of the Lagos State JNC (Trade Union Side), and dated December 19, 2025, the council, led by Chairman Comrade Domingo Michael Adeleke, described the initiatives as “landmark milestones” that demonstrate the governor’s deep commitment to the welfare, productivity, and motivation of the public sector workforce.The 100% bonus will be disbursed in two installments: 50% alongside December 2025 salaries and the remaining 50% with January 2026 salaries. The JNC highlighted this phased approach as a considerate measure attuned to prevailing economic challenges, aimed at easing financial pressures during the holiday season and beyond.The council also praised the presentation of car gifts to exemplary officers, calling it a powerful incentive to promote merit, foster innovation, and cultivate a culture of excellence, accountability, and superior service delivery across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).These actions, the statement noted, transcend mere administrative gestures and serve as significant morale boosters likely to enhance industrial harmony, employee loyalty, and overall performance. They further underscore the benefits of ongoing constructive dialogue between the state government and organized labour.The JNC reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the Sanwo-Olu administration on policies that prioritize workers’ welfare and improve public service delivery. It called on all public servants to respond to the governor’s generosity with heightened professionalism, dedication, and service to Lagos residents.

News

President Tinubu presents N58 trillion 2026 budget

Tagged the “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity”, the proposal seeks to lock in recent macroeconomic gains, restore investor confidence and translate recovery into jobs and improved living standards for Nigerians.

Published

16 hours ago

December 19, 2025

OCHEFA

42 Views

• President Tinubu at the National Assembly during the 2026 budget presentation, Friday, December 19,2025.

President Bola Tinubu on Friday presented the N58.18 trillion 2026 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly.

“I appear before this Joint Session of the National Assembly, in fulfilment of my constitutional duty, to present the 2026 Appropriation Bill,” said Tinubu, describing the moment as “defining” in Nigeria’s reform journey.

He acknowledged the pains of reforms over the last two and a half years but assured citizens that “their sacrifices are not in vain.”

The President said Nigeria’s economy was showing clear signs of stabilisation, citing 3.98 per cent GDP growth in Q3 2025, moderation in inflation for eight consecutive months to 14.45 per cent in November 2025, improved oil production, stronger non-oil revenues and rising investor confidence.

External reserves, he disclosed, climbed to a seven-year high of about $47 billion as of mid-November 2025, providing over 10 months of import cover.“These outcomes are not accidental. They reflect difficult but deliberate policy choices,” Tinubu sai.

The tasks ahead are to ensure that “stability becomes prosperity, and prosperity becomes shared prosperity.” said Tinubu.