NLC Flays NERC, DISCOs For Flouting Court Order

The Central Working Committee (C.W.C) of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has flayed the Federal Government, National  Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Electricity Distribution Companies of Nigeria (DISCOs) over their total disobedience  to the court order  that electricity tariffs be reviewed  downward.

According to the NLC communiqué  issued on Wednesday and released to The Tide,   the NLC took a holistic review of the state of the nation,  notably the challenges in the economy, non-payment of salaries and pension when due and attempt  by oil marketers to increase the pump price of petroleum products.

The NLC’s communiqué  also condemned  the killing of two workers in Nassarawa state and  Imo State government’s legislating  policy of new working days of workers  three days in office, two days farming,  stressing that  such policy is an anti workers policy and a total  contravention of Nigerian labour  laws and ILO Conventions.

The NLC declared that workers have right to protest as guaranteed by the  1999 Constitution as amended, relevant labour legislations and ILO  conventions to which  Nigeria is a signatory, stressing that shooting of workers during  protest is barbaric, tragic and saddening.

The NLC further alleged that the mindless violence  usually unleashed  on workers is part of a calculated attempt  to  silence lawful  and peaceful protests by workers  against the acts of  impunity, and unlawful nonpayment of salaries.

The NLC urged the Federal Government, NERC and DISCOs to obey the order of the court until the court’s decision is reversed  by the superior  court over the  downward review of electricity tariffs in the country.