The House of Representatives on Tuesday faulted the absence of leadership of organised labour at a special public hearing on the increase in electricity tariff.
At the ongoing meeting at the National Assembly Complex, lawmakers said the absence of the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) shows disregard for Nigerians.
The hearing is being organised by the Joint House Committee on Power, Commerce, National Planning and Economic Development and Delegated Legislation.
Present at the meeting are the minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, representatives of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), representatives of electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs), and members of Civil Society Organisations among others.
Before the commencement of the hearing, lawmakers took turns to berate Labour leaders who they said were duly invited but refused to show up.
The lawmakers said the labour unions cited the ongoing annual conference of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) taking place at Geneva, Switzerland as a reason for their absence.
NERC on April 3 raised electricity tariff for customers enjoying 20 hours of power supply daily prompting organised labour to stage a protest to reject the increase.
Following the outcry, the House of Representatives during a plenary session on April 30 resolved to set up a special committee to probe the increase.
This followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Kama Nkem-Kanma (LP, Ebonyi State).
At the meeting on Tuesday, a member, Olufemi Bamishele (APC, Ekiti) expressed concern that the organised labour was more interested in traveling to Geneva when there were issues of urgent national Importance.
“This modus of Gestapo approach to address matters cannot help Nigerians. This is a platform for all stakeholders to present their sides so that justice can be done. We are talking of estimated billing, non-metering and here the unions are absent.
“This is very sad. They did not also submit their memo and can’t find one of the senior members to come here and this speak volumes for their respect for constitutional authority.
While faulting the labour leaders’ absence, Deputy speaker, Benjamin Kalu, in his opening remarks said: “We expect labour to be in the room. As rightly observed by my colleagues, we condemned equally the inability of NLC to attend. It is expected that in nation building, they will become partners. The parliament remains the voice of the people.
“I know NLC has always spoken out on national policies but I am worried that they would prefer this critical period to be in Geneva rather than partner with parliament over government policies.
“It is fair enough to criticise the executive and it is our responsibility to check the excess of the executive if such exists.
“I am sure they will take corrections as we partner with them. I commend the committee for sending them series of letters and I suggest you still ask the NLC to submit their Memorandum to the house.”
