News
Labour’s Protests Ground DISCOs’ Operations
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in collaboration with civil society groups made good their threat of picketing offices of the electricity distribution and generating company (DISCOs) and GENCOs) across the nation, as operations in their offices were grounded following the exercise.
Also affected, were the offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) as labour unions protested the 45 per cent hike in electricity tariff, announced by the Federal Government.
The new tariff regime began on Monday, 1st February, 2016
Consequently, offices of the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) across the four states of Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Cross River were also besieged by protesters.
At the Mosco Road, the zonal office of PHED, the Rivers State Chairman of TUC, Mr Chika Onuegbu, decried the new tariff, saying the people would no longer watch the government inflict pains on them through the exploitative tariff.
He lamented that the Federal Government has failed to save the masses from the crunchy economic situation, and wondered why the masses would be made to pay through their nose for poor supply that is epileptic.
Onuegbu accused the DISCOs of also failing in their contractual bond of providing prepaid meters which were promised the consumers when the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) was being privatised.
On her part, the l Chairman of NLC in the state, Mrs Beatrice Itubo, said the protest over electricity tariff hike would continue until the Federal Government rescinds its step and removes the new tariff.
At the D/Line office of the Diobu Business Centre of PHED, Chief Amadi Ihedioha, a businessman said , ‘the protest has provided the ordinary Nigerians opportunity of openly expressing their rejection of the exploitative tendencies of the company.
“I thank the organised labour for what they have done today, I thought nobody can be there for us when PHED treat us any how it likes, chooses when to supply light, and not even the government caring to know what we are passing through’, he said.
In his reaction, the Corporate Affair Manager of PHED, Mr Jonah Ibomah, In defence of the new tariff, said the power sector had been neglected over the past five years, and stressed the need for more investment in the sector.
He said, contrary to the claim that the recent increase in electricity tariff was up to 45 per cent, the hike was merely between 12 and 21 per cent.
In Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, the organised labour also besieged the PHED offices, chanting solidarity songs with green leaves in their hands.
State chairman of the TUC, Mr Akamabo Awah, said there was no reason or rationale for the hike when there is a pending court order restraining NERC or any of the DISCOS from increasing tariff.
He said the protest was a way of defending the law and the interest of the masses from the electricity companies who have taken up Nigerians hostage.
Meanwhile, NERC Acting Chief Executive Officer, Dr Anthony Akah, blamed the organised labour for the protest, saying, NLC should have utilised the window of complaints provided by the commission or such matters instead of resorting to street protests.
Akah regretted that the sector, which is expected to attract foreign investment, may suffer sect back from the signal of the protest.
“We feel strongly that NLC or other organisations would have taken advantage of the window and file for the area of concern just like some other organisations have filed for their own areas of concern”, he said.
The Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, in reacting to the development, said the House was reviewing the positions of stakeholders on the new tariff, and would make its position known to Nigerians next week.
Chris Oluoh
Spokesman to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Mr Segun Sowunmi, has advised his principal, Atiku, to learn from President Bola Tinubu on how to form a coalition.
The Tide reports that in a bid to wrest power from President Tinubu in 2027, Atiku has been leading the movement by opposition politicians to form a coalition of political parties ahead of the next general election.
Last month, opposition politicians set up a team comprising former Minister of Transpiration, Rotimi Amaechi, and former Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, to decide whether to float a new party or fuse into an existing platform.
While the main opposition party, PDP, struggles with a perennial leadership crisis, the former Vice President is bent on establishing another political force to take power from the ruling party in 2027.
But Sowunmi, who has been Atiku’s ally for many years, disagrees with his move, saying instead of forming a coalition with another political platform, he should coalesce opposition politicians into the PDP.
Speaking during an interview on TVC on Tuesday, Sowunmi, who was Atiku’s campaign spokesperson in the last election, asked his principal to learn from President Tinubu on how to form a coalition.
Sowunmi believes Atiku, having benefitted from the PDP as a former Vice President and getting the party’s presidential ticket twice, should not seek to form a coalition that will not have the PDP as its base.
He said, “I’ve always said to people, people love with their hearts. I love atiku with my bones. But I can’t help him against himself. You can’t run vice presidency on PDP two times with Obasanjo, get presidential candidate on that same party two times. I don’t agree with him that the next best thing is to be shopping for…(a platform) If you want a coalition, why are you not coalescing them into your party?” he asked.
The former PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State advised the ex-VP to learn from Tinubu on how to build a coalition without dumping his political party.
“Look at your rival, your friend. You guys started together. At best, even if you want to say he’s building a coalition is he not coalescing opponents into his place”? Sowunmi asked again.
The PDP chieftain, who recently showered praises on Tinubu after he visited him, said the President has an “uncanny ability to make everybody individually feel special” regardless of political affiliations.
His words: “That guy (Tinubu) is something oh, he has this uncanny ability to make everybody individually feel special. It doesn’t matter whether you are a former foe or a president’s friend, every moment you share with him, I don’t know how he does it, though you’re going to leave the place feeling that you matter, feeling that he gets it, feeling that what you guys are talking about is important. And there’s something about him, when he gives you his word, he will say something like ‘ko le ye’, meaning that to the best of human ability, it will stand.”
Meanwhile, there have been conversations about Sowunmi’s political stance as many questioned his relationship with Atiku, with whom he shares a longstanding political relationship.
Asked about his relationship with Atiku following his meeting with Tinubu, Sowunmi said he doesn’t know if the former Vice President is upset.
“I don’t know whether Atiku is upset or not upset, but I know a lot of our followers are talking a lot of nonsense, and I’m wondering how I became attached to Atiku when I’ve been in PDP since 1999 never leaving,” he responded.
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to fix inconsistencies in tax services across its over 300 offices nationwide.
The move aims to make tax processes clearer, more transparent, and easier for Nigerians.
In a statement, Special Adviser on Communications and Advocacy to the FIRS Executive Chairman, Mr. Collins Omokaro, said the updated SOP is a key part of the agency’s plan to improve taxpayer experience.
He explained that, in the past, different FIRS offices used different methods, which often confused taxpayers.
“This is about people, experience, and impact. It’s a step towards a tax system that supports voluntary compliance and national development,” Omokaro said.
The new SOP provides a single guide for key processes like registration, payment, audit, and enforcement. This will ensure all FIRS offices follow the same steps, making the system fairer and more predictable.
FIRS Executive Chairman, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, described the SOP as more than just a set of rules.
“This SOP is not just a technical document; it is a declaration of who we are becoming as a service. It reflects our commitment to transparency and service to the Nigerian people,” he said.
The SOP also supports FIRS’s digital transformation, combining human and technological systems to deliver faster and more reliable services. It will also improve internal efficiency by providing clear guidance and better training for staff.
“With this rollout, every FIRS staff member has a clear mandate: study it, apply it, and embody it. That’s how we’ll earn the trust of Nigerians,” Omokaro added.
The reform is part of FIRS’s efforts to become a more service-driven organisation, focused on clarity, consistency, and national growth. The agency hopes the new SOP will make tax services better for Nigerians and increase public trust in the system.
The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, says the Federal Government is committed to building a world-class public service in Nigeria.
Walson-Jack made this known in Abuja, on Wednesday, at a World Press Conference ahead of the International Civil Service Conference and the African Public Service Week scheduled for June 25 to 26 in Abuja.
She said a recent study tour to Singapore was part of preparatory activities aimed at positioning Nigeria’s civil service for excellence and attracting global participation in the upcoming events.
“The study tour to Singapore was the first major activity we undertook under the collaboration between the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation and the Heads of Service of the 36 states and the FCT,” she said.
According to her, the visit, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), involved 20 State Heads of Service and was designed to benchmark best global practices and enhance Nigeria’s public service delivery.
“The idea was born out of our ongoing collaboration, where we share ideas and knowledge across federal and state levels.
“Singapore was chosen because it is globally recognised for excellence in public service,” she explained.
Walson-Jack noted that the second phase of the tour will involve the remaining 17 heads of service later this year.
She said the tour provided participants with the opportunity to engage with both public and private sector institutions in Singapore, compare administrative practices, and gain insights into global standards.
“It was an eye-opener and a capacity-building opportunity.
“Since our return, several state civil services have begun implementing reforms in collaboration with the federal service, particularly in areas such as capability development and digital transformation,” she added.
Walson-Jack further disclosed that Nigeria would host a reciprocal study tour during the upcoming African Public Service Week, where foreign delegates will engage with various federal institutions.
“They will see firsthand our digitalisation efforts, performance management systems, and other reform initiatives aimed at transforming our civil service.
“We hope the experience will inspire similar actions in their home countries,” she said.