*NLC, TUC Condemn Higher Tariff For Non-Existent Electricity
SOME Nigerian workers have expressed the optimism that despite the many challenges Nigerians and it workforce are facing, all hope was not lost.
The workers, who stated this on Wednesday, May 1, at the Eagle Square, Abuja, where they converged in their numbers to join their counterparts across the world to mark this year’s Workers’ Day, said they were optimistic that with the way the President Bola Tinubu-led administration was going, there would be brighter future for Nigerian workers before the end of his administration.
They urged the government to prioritise workers’ welfare, so as to cushion the effects of present economy realities, as it would also go a long way to affect other Nigerians positively.
A civil servant, Mercy Ephraim, who expressed gratitude to the current administration over the ongoing negotiation on minimum wage, was hopeful that at the end of it all, Nigerian workers would have cause to smile.
“All hopes are not lost at all. I want to believe that we, the Nigerian workers, would be happy at last. Mr. President knows quite well, what Nigerians are passing through and he will judge workers’ welfare based on the theme of this year, ‘People First,” she said.
To Emmanuel Ekah, another civil servant, was happy with the labour unions and workers for their patience with the government over the economic realities and their welfare.
He said the Labour has demonstrated high sense of responsibility and patriotism by not organising strike actions to further disrupt the country’s economy at a time Nigeria was faced with many challenges.
Ekah, however, appealled to the Federal Government to continue to look into workers’ plight, being the backbone of the country’s administration.
“If you should carefully observe, you will agree with me that money flows into the society through workers and this means that if it is well with the workers, there will be positive impacts on other citizens of the country,” he said.
Also speaking, Abubakar Sadiq, urged the government to take workers’ welfare seriously, as this would also have positive impacts even after their retirement.
“Why I am saying this is because I am retiring in September this year and I am already expressing fears of what I will do to survive for the rest of my life.
“I am appealing that reasonable salaries should be given to workers right from the time they start work and this will give them hope to have enough resources even after their services to the country,” he said.
Workers’ Day is celebrated globally every May 1 to raise awareness of the rights of workers and to protect them from exploitation and serves as a reminder of the important role played by the workers in society.
This year’s event was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented the President; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkiruka Onyejeocha; Labour leaders and members of various labour unions, among other personalities.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have appealed to the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and power sector operators to reverse the recent increase in electricity tariff within one week.
NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and his TUC counterpart, Fetus Osifo, who made the call in a joint speech to mark this year’s Workers’ Day in Abuja, expressed dissatisfaction over epileptic power situation in the country, which is affecting economic growth of the country.
According to them, it’s imperative that any nation incapable of effectively and efficiently managing its energy resources faces certain ruin.
They stated: “One of the pivotal factors constraining our nation is our glaring incompetence in managing this sector for the collective welfare of our citizens.
“Power, regardless of its source, remains paramount in kick-starting any economy, while oil and gas are indispensable for robust energy success in every country.”
They said it was absolutely critical for the government to collaborate with the people to establish frameworks that would ensure energy works for all Nigerian, lamenting that the plight of the power sector remains unchanged over a decade after privatisation of the sector.
“The reasons are glaringly evident. As long as those who sold the companies remain the buyers, Nigerians will continue to face formidable challenges in the power sector.
“It is unethical to force Nigerians to pay higher tariff for non-existent electricity.
