Suspension of new tariff hike a scam, workers tell FG

A cross-section of workers in Abuja have raised the alarm over the suspension of the reflective tariff by the government, saying 48 hours after the announcement to halt the tariff hike, nothing has changed.

The workers who spoke to our correspondent on the development Tuesday, said government only used that to deceive labour to suspend the planned industrial action over the increase.

A worker who resides in Apo District of the Federal Capital Territory,  Mr. Sunday Akwashiki,  said the situation had not changed as the new tariff  was still reflecting.

He said: “I was happy when I learnt about the suspension on the electricity hike, but it was different when I bought token and it was the same.

“This is not good at all. How can government say  something and do a different thing? Labour should please draw the attention of government to the development.”

Also, a resident of Jabi District in the FCT Mr. Andrew Azomema said: “My brother, the situation is not funny. This is because usually if I bought N1000 token, I get 18.7 units and with the suspension, I thought I will get  higher token but it was the same.

“How can the government not keep to her promise for once? We are not finding things easy at all,” Azomema lamented.

The two labour centers –Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC)- Monday said it suspended her planned action because government ordered the suspension of the reflection tariff for two weeks to allow a technical committee comprising Ministries, Departments, Agencies as labour representatives.

The committee is to work for a duration of two weeks effective Monday 28th September 2020, to examine the justifications for the new policy in view of the need for the validation of the basis for the new cost-reflective tariff.

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