The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have closed all Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) offices to protest against the increase in electricity tariffs.

According to information gathered by DAILY POST, the NLC prevented AEDC staff from entering their offices when they attempted to resume work on Monday.

An AEDC staff member, speaking anonymously, revealed, “The Apo office of AEDC has been shut down by NLC. When I arrived at the office around 7:00 am on Monday, I was instructed to return home. Similar instructions were given to colleagues in our other offices across Abuja.”

In a previous announcement jointly made by NLC Acting Secretary-General Chris Uyot and TUC Acting Secretary-General Ankan Hassan, Nigerian workers had pledged to close down the offices of the 11 Distribution Companies (Discos) nationwide and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

The workers demanded a reversal of the April 3 electricity tariff increase for band A customers, which raised the rate to N225 per kilowatt-hour from N68 per kWh. Despite this call, NERC proceeded with a slight tariff reduction to N206 per kWh, which was deemed inadequate by the organized labour.

As a result, the NLC and TUC vowed to shut down the Discos and NERC offices until their demands were met. This development occurs amidst the challenges faced by Nigerians due to high headline and food inflation rates, standing at 33.20% and 40.01%, respectively, as of March 2024.

The Primate of the Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Henry Ndukuba, expressed confidence that Nigeria would overcome its current challenges and regain its position among nations.

Speaking to reporters during a Thanksgiving Service marking the end of the 2024 second session of the 12th Synod in Abuja, with the theme “By This Time Tomorrow: Breaking the Siege upon the Nation,” the Primate described Nigeria as besieged and in need of divine intervention.

He emphasized that Nigeria faces adversaries such as wickedness, corruption, and nepotism, which surpass its own strength, thus requiring God’s intervention for liberation and success.

The Primate urged Nigerians to sincerely repent and return to God to overcome challenges, emphasizing that genuine repentance would lead to divine mercy, forgiveness, and healing for the nation.

Ndukuba also urged citizens, regardless of their religious beliefs, to forsake evil and adhere to righteousness, believing that adherence to religious principles would lead to national transformation.

He encouraged those facing spiritual, economic, or health-related challenges to seek deliverance through trust in God.

In a sermon, Retired Rev Johnson Atere echoed the call for Nigeria to return to God and have faith in His word. He attributed the nation’s challenges to leaders’ failure to heed God’s commands and counsel.

Despite the challenges, he emphasized that the solution lies in God’s word, asserting that divine intervention is always available to deliver the people.

The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has closed down the headquarters of the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) in Plateau State in response to the increase in electricity tariffs. Reports indicate that the labor union barricaded the main entrance of the company, preventing staff from entering the main building.

The NLC and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) had declared their intention to close down offices of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Distribution Companies (DisCos) across the country due to their refusal to meet the demand for a complete reversal of the electricity tariff hike.