Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company,
Kaduna has been sealed up by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) who are
protesting the recent increase in electricity tariffs nationwide.
DAILY
POST observed that the premises of the company is also being guarded by a
detachment of police personnel, apparently to forestall any breakdown of law
and order by the protesting labour officials.
One
of the officials of NLC, Mallam Shehu Mohammed told DAILY POST that they have
sealed the gates of the company in order to press home their demands on the
need for DISCO to retain the old tariffs.
He
explained, “This protest will continue so long as the government refuses to
listen to the cry of Nigerians because this is not the change we voted for.
“We
believe as workers and citizens of this country that President Mohammadu Buhari
has a listening ear. He will listen to the yearnings and aspirations of
Nigerians towards ensuring a better environment for people to live in.”
Meanwhile,
a statement by the head of Cooperate Communications Department of the company,
Abdulaziz Abdullahi, quoted the Managing Director/CEO, Kaduna Electric,
Engineer Garba Haruna, as advising the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Trade
Union congress to stop their planned picketing of distribution companies as the
nation cannot afford any disruption to power for now.
The
statement explained, “The current economic challenges facing the country makes
the planned action of the labour movements ill-motivated and
counterproductive.”
According
to Engineer Garba, all stakeholders must join hands to consolidate on the
success achieved with the privatization of the power sector.
“For
the first time, in the history of Nigeria’s power sector, electricity
generation has hit an all-time high of 5,075MW, demonstrating the evolution and
progress in the capacity of the sector to meet the country’s power needs, a
major requirement in the drive to grow the nation’s economy and improve quality
of life,” he contended.
Engineer
Garba reiterated that the new tariff regime recently approved by the Nigerian
Electricity Regulatory Commission is not only about tariff increment, “It is a
comprehensive master plan aimed at having a cost reflective tariff for the
Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry. The new tariff will enable the actors in
the electricity value chain (generation, transmission and distribution
companies) to cover the cost of their operations and attract further investment
in the power sector.
“It
shall also guarantee sustainable growth in the power sector and ensure stable
and qualitative power supply across the country.
The
Electricity boss further reiterated his Company’s resolve to provide steady and
qualitative power supply in its operational territory.
“In
his words, “We in Kaduna Electric are committed to efficient service delivery
and other value-added investment in network reinforcement, ICT development and
mass pre-paid meters deployment. The first phase of our five hundred thousand
pre-paid meters roll-out shall commence in due course.”
EmoticonEmoticon