NLC Insists On Reversal Of Electricity Tariff Increment

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged the federal government to muster the necessary courage to revisit and review the privatization exercise of the power sector given the painful intractable problems around the sector.

The congress also insisted it would embark on a one day national strike and protest in collaboration with the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) to protest the hike in electricity tariff in the country.

These, among others were part of the resolutions reached at the end of its Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting held in Abuja and made available to journalists.

The resolutions which were contained in a communique signed by NLC president, Ayuba Wabba, also called on government to do all that is necessary to dismantle the cabal in the downstream sector of the oil industry.

The communique reads in part, “CWC observed that in the aftermath of the nation-wide rallies and pickets, DISCOs had assured Nigerians they would make available metres to customers within a limited time via the process of accelerated production and distribution/sale of metres. CWC noted that nearly three months after, most customers continue to be subjected to estimated billing.

“CWC observed that the dwindling quality of service continues to place Nigerians in an unfortunate situation of paying higher for darkness. CWC accordingly resolved to call an emergency meeting of NEC in conjunction with TUC to perfect the process of a one-day national warning strike/protest to impress on government the resolve of the labour movement, civil society organisations and Nigerians not to accept the increase.

Credit: Leadership

Fayose Attacks Buhari Over Planned Increment Of VAT

The Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Sunday criticised President Muhammadu Buhari, over the planned increase of the Value Added Tax, VAT, by five per cent.

The governor, who was reacting to comments attributed to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in Lagos, said the move would worsen the hardship already faced by Nigerians.

He described the plan as “wicked and insensitive” to the plight of Nigerians who are suffering from the bad economic policies of Mr. Buhari and the All Progressives Congress-led government.

Mr. Fayose who spoke through his Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, said any increment in VAT or any other tax being paid by Nigerians would make life unbearable for the people.

“Nigerians are suffering and the little that they have, the federal government is planning to take back through VAT increment. This is wickedness,” the governor said.

“Under three months, electricity tariff was increased despite epileptic power supply, N50 stamp duty was imposed on bank customers for money received into their accounts via electronic transfer, cash and cheques; petrol is being sold for as high as N400 per litre and now they are talking about increasing VAT to 10 per cent, this is the height of insensitivity to the plight of Nigerians.”

Lamenting the increase in the cost of living which he said is occasioned by the bad economic policies of the federal government, Mr. Fayose said recent figures from the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, revealed that the prices of food have hit a record high while inflation is worsening.

“How can government be considering 100 per cent increment in VAT when businesses are folding up, prices of essential commodities have skyrocketed, millions of Nigerians are losing their jobs and those who are still employed are no longer getting paid regularly,” he said.

Credit: PremiumTimes