FG extends electricity tariff suspension by one week

The federal government has asked the electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to extend the suspension of the new electricity tariff by one week.

The DisCos began implementation of a new service-based reflective tariff (SRT) structure nationwide on September 1 after receiving approval from President Muhammadu Buhari.

However, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) protested the new tariff and called for a nationwide strike.

After a meeting with the federal government a few hours to the protest, the NLC and TUC suspended the proposed strike after brokering an agreement to halt the electricity tariff increase for two weeks.

At the expiration of the two-week suspension on Sunday, Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), led a delegation to met with the labour unions in Abuja, where the decision was reached to extend the suspension by one week.

One of the resolutions reached at the meeting was the distribution of one million meters to consumers.

Speaking after the meeting, Chris Ngige, minister of labour,  said the N1.7 billion daily power subsidy would be inserted into the national budget.

“The two-week extension for electricity tariffs which expired this week will be extended by another one week,” the minister said.

“The immediate relief would be provided to citizens for a two to three-month period (not later than 31st of December, 2020), being the timeline for the conclusion of an extended scope of work for the Technical Committee.”