Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, on Monday in Abuja assured organised labour that the National Assembly (NASS) would not allow policies detrimental to the people.
Saraki said this while addressing a rally organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Trade Union Congress (TUC) and the Civil Society, to protest the hike in electricity tariff which took effect on February 1.
He said that the NASS would ensure significant improvement in the well-being of Nigerians and would reject any harmful policies.
“We are not blinded; we are not deaf; we can see the problems. Give us time, we will call the Chief Executive and we will engage them and we will ensure that the right thing is done.
“I want to assure you that this very 8th National Assembly is for the people.
“We have summoned the NERC executive before now; we are with you and we will stand with you to ensure that no policy will be in any way detrimental to the people,” he said.
While expressing dissatisfaction over the non-consultation with all parties before arriving at the new tariff regime, the Senate president gave further assurance that the NASS would do the right thing.
“You cannot make laws and policies without the people; I want to assure you all that we will always stand for what is right to ensure the survival of the masses.
“We are people of action and you will see the action immediately; nobody can fool anybody and I can assure you, nobody will be allowed to deceive the masses.
“We will do the right thing; we will consult with you, and when we do not agree, we will find solutions,” Saraki said.
Earlier, NLC President Ayuba Wabba said that the rally was to express rejection of the 45 per cent upward review of electricity tariff.
Wabba said that NLC, TUC and Civil Society groups were united in demanding the reversal of the tariff increase.
He said that due process was not followed in consonance with section 76 of the Power Sector Reform Act, 2005, adding that there had been no significant improvement in the service delivery.
“Most consumers are not metered in accordance with the signed privatisation Memorandum of Understanding of November 2013 that stipulated 18 months gestation period to meter all consumers.
“The increment also at this time negates the present biting and prevailing economic recession and further will impoverish the poor masses and place an additional burden on them.
“It will also have a telling effect on business, especially on manufacturing and small-scale enterprises whose cost is heavily affected by energy cost.
“We demand that the prepaid meters should be made available for free to all consumers,” Wabba said, adding that two weeks grace would be given to NASS summon Nigeria Electricity regulatory commission (NERC) Executive Chairman with a view to resolving the contending issue.
Also speaking, TUC President Bobboi Kaigama described the electricity tariff increase as illegal, unfair, unjustifiable and aimed at exploiting Nigerians.
Calling for the reversal of the 45 per cent increment tariff, Kaigama said:“We will not take it and we will continue to occupy the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company and NERC until this increment is reversed.”
In his remarks, Dr Dipo Fashina, the Chairman, Labour/Civil Society Coalition, urged NASS to have a rethink on the issue of privatisation in the country.
“The Constitution of Nigeria says that the commanding height of the economy shall not be in private hands.
“Now, virtually all the commanding heights of the economy have been sold out to individuals in country.
“ The issue of electricity arises because it has been turned into private hands and Nigerian workers are saying no, we cannot do that, we want it reversed immediately,” Fashina said.
Placards had inscriptions such as “We cannot pay more for darkness”; ”Invest in electricity generation and do not exploit us.”
Others read “Say no to privatisation of PHCN;” “NERC enforce the MOU on privatisation;” “NERC and Discos obey court order.”
Earlier, the labour had picketed the office of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company and NERC, where similar messages were delivered.
