The federal government has suspended the new electricity tariff for two weeks, after the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress suspended its planned nationwide strike scheduled to begin today Monday, September 28.
The suspension was announced following the agreement that the deregulation of the oil sector and increase in pump price was to remain as the government rolls out palliatives for labour. At the meeting, it was also agreed that Electricity tariffs should be suspended by the Federal government for 2 weeks with a joint Committee headed by the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyami, to examine the justification for the new policy.
The suspension was contained in a communique jointly signed
by labour leaders and the Federal Government representatives, and read by the
Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, after an extensive
meeting that ended in the early hours of Monday September 28.
According to the communique, “The parties agreed to set up a
Technical Committee comprising Ministries, Departments, Agencies, NLC and TUC,
which will work for two weeks, effective Monday, September 28.
The committee will examine the justifications for the new
policy, metering deployment, challenges and timeline for massive rollout.
The Technical Committee membership is as follows: Mr Festus
Keyamo(SAN), Minister of State Labour & Employment, Chairman; Mr Godwin
Jedy-Agba, Minister of State Power, member; Prof. James Momoh, Chairman,
National Electricity Regulatory Commission, member; Engr. Ahmad Rufai Zakari,
SA to Mr. President on Infrastructure
member/Secretary; Dr. OnohoOmhen Ebhohimhen, member (NLC); Comrade Joe
Ajaero, member (NLC); Comrade Chris Okonkwo, member (TUC), and a representative
of DISCOs, member.
The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the suspension with regards
to the new electricity tariff are as follows:
-To examine the justification for the new policy on
cost-reflective Electricity Tariff adjustments.
-To look at the different Electricity Distribution Company
(DISCOs) and their different electricity tariff vis-Ã -vis NERC order and
mandate. “
-Examine and advise the government on the issues that have
hindered the deployment of the six million meters.
-To look into the NERC Act under review with a view to
expanding its representation to include organized labour.
-The Technical sub-committee is to submit its report within
two weeks. During the two weeks, the DISCOs shall suspend the application of
the cost-reflective electricity tariff adjustments.
-The meeting also resolved that the following issues of
concern to Labour should be treated as stand-alone items: “The 40% stake of government
in the DISCO and the stake of workers to be reflected in the composition of the
DISCOs Boards. An all-inclusive and independent review of the power sector
operations as provided in the privatization MOU to be undertaken before the end
of the year 2020, with Labour represented.
-That going forward, the moribund National Labour Advisory
Council, NLAC, be inaugurated before the end of the year 2020 to
institutionalize the process of tripartism and socio dialogue on socio-economic
and major labour matters to forestall crisis.”
Regarding the argument over the increase in pump price, the
Federal government says it has made available some palliatives to the labour
unions for all its members. The communique stated:
-To cushion the impacts of the downstream sector
deregulation and tariffs adjustment in the power sector, the Federal Government
will implement the following:
-A specific amount to be unveiled by the government in two
weeks; time will be isolated from the Economic Sustainability Programme
Intervention Fund and be accessed by Nigerian Workers with subsequent provision
for 240,000 under the auspices of NLC and TUC for participation in agricultural
ventures through the CBN and the Ministry of Agriculture.
-The timeline will be fixed at the next meeting.
-Federal Government will facilitate the removal of tax on
minimum wage as a way of cushioning the impacts of the policy on the lowest
vulnerable.
-Federal Government will make available to organized labour
133 CNG/LPG driven mass transit buses immediately and provide to the major
cities across the Country on a scale up basis, thereafter to all state and
local governments before December 2021.
-Housing: 10% be allocated to Nigerian workers under the
ongoing Ministry of Housing and Finance initiative through the NLC and TUC.
Following these terms of references, the NLC and TUC agreed
to suspend the planned industrial action.
See copies of the communique below
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