By Abubakar Yunusa

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has rejected plans by the Federal Government to regularise electricity tariffs for customers for Bands A, B and C.

In a communique released on Sunday after the National Executive Council (NEC) in Yola, Adamawa State, the labour union vowed to lead mass nationwide protests across Nigeria should the government continue with its plan.

Last Thursday, Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, said lower bands would be upgraded to Band A.

In its communique sign by NLC General Secretary, Emmanuel Ugboaja, the labour union rejected the “forcefully migration” of consumers from lower bands to Band A.

“On the Migration of Electricity Consumers with a view to increasing tariff: NEC unequivocally rejects the ongoing sham reclassification of electricity consumers by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), which seeks to forcefully migrate consumers from lower bands to Band A under the guise of service improvement while, in reality, imposing unjustified extortion on the masses,” the NLC declared.

“This systematic exploitation, sanctioned by the Ministry of Power, is nothing short of economic violence against the working class and broader Nigerian populace.

“It is evident that the ruling elite, acting as enforcers of global monopoly capital, are determined to further deepen the misery of the Nigerian people through incessant tariff hikes, increased taxation, and relentless economic strangulation.

“Whereas inflation has soared, wages remain stagnant, and the cost of living has become unbearable, the ruling class continues to transfer the burden of their fiscal irresponsibility onto the already impoverished working masses.

“NEC-in-session warns that any attempt to announce further electricity tariff increases will be met with mass resistance.

“Consequently, the Congress resolves to immediately mobilise for a nationwide protest should the Ministry of Power and NERC proceed with their exploitative plan to further hike electricity tariffs under any guise.

“The NLC shall not stand idly by while the Nigerian people are subjected to the unholy machinations of capitalist profiteers and their state collaborators.”

For decades, Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has been faced with intractable energy challenges, no thanks to an epileptic power supply which significantly affects productivity levels. Despite the privatisation of the electricity sector, power generation, transmission and distribution have remained bogged with hydra-headed monsters of policy inconsistency, low investments and operational challenges.

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In 2024, NERC approved the upward review of electricity prices with a unit of power costing about N250 for Band A customers.

The cost of petrol and diesel which are readily available alternatives have equally increased by fivefold, compounding the dilemma of consumers. In the same year, NERC granted at least some State’s Electrify Regulatory Commissions licenses to power plants and power distribution.

By Abubakar Yunusa

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has called for an independent investigation into the sexual harassment allegation against Senate President Godswill Akpabio by Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, senator representing Kogi central.

The conflict between Akpabio and Akpoti-Uduaghan began over a change in the seating arrangement in the senate chamber.

Akpoti-Uduaghan kicked against the new seating arrangement, claiming it was an attempt to silence her.

The dispute escalated on Friday when Akpoti-Uduaghan accused Akpabio of making sexual advances towards her in his office and residence in Akwa Ibom.

In a statement issued on Sunday by Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the ACF spokesperson, the forum said the allegation portrays a negative impression of the “national and international image” of the senate.

“We call for an independent, open, transparent, and thorough investigation, devoid of fear, favour or interference of any kind, from any quarters to be conducted,” the statement reads.

“This will be necessary to allow the senate to return, as it should, to the serious and solemn duty of lawmaking for Nigeria at a period when citizens are being overwhelmed by dire existential living conditions on account of the impact of public policies on lives and livelihoods.”

ACF also called on the northern caucus in the senate, “to support Akpoti-Uduaghan so that she gets a fair hearing and ultimately accorded the treatment she duly deserves in the red chamber”.

The forum noted that the conflict between the duo is affecting the people of Kogi central.

“While the imbroglio lasts, the interests of the people of Kogi Central are not being adequately represented in the 10th Senate,” Muhammad-Baba said.

“While perhaps far-fetched, ACF rues the development and hopes that it is not part of the thinly veiled anti-Arewa agenda now pervading the Nigerian political process.

“In the event, ACF wonders if the unfolding events constitute a pattern or are cruel coincidences at work.”

The forum urged the leadership and members of the senate to always display exemplary behaviour in matters of ethics and moral qualities.

By Abubakar Yunusa

Uba Sani, Kaduna state governor, says 10 communities received $25,000 cheques each from the community revolving fund to support farmer groups.

According to a statement by the state government, the cheques presented on Saturday amount to a total of N375 million.

Sani explained that the World Bank-assisted Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project provided the fund to help beneficiaries invest in climate-smart rain-fed agriculture.

The benefitting communities include Anchau, Kuzuntu, Kubau, Zuntu, Jenau, Likoro, Jaja, Hunkuyi, Kudan, and Danmahawayi.

Sani said the fund aligns with his administration’s commitment to rural transformation, which is designed to support registered farmer groups under the umbrella of community interest groups (CIGs).

“Kaduna state is proud to be at the forefront of initiatives aimed at combating climate change and ensuring sustainable livelihoods for our people,” he said.

‘’Over the years, we have implemented a range of strategic policies and programs designed to enhance ecological conservation, mitigate the impact of climate change, and promote economic resilience among our citizens.

‘’With the support of ACReSAL, the State Government unveiled a 10-year Climate Change Policy, trained 500 women, youth, and school-feeding vendors in the production of biomass briquettes as an alternative to wood fuel.”

Also, Sani said his administration disbursed loans in Kudan and Kubau local governments under phase one of the initiative, covering a total of 82 CIGs.

He further explained that phase two would commence in the second quarter of the year, including four local governments in the central and southern senatorial zones, alongside two area councils in the northern senatorial zone.

According to the governor, the concluding phase of the implementation will cater to the remaining 11 local government areas in the state.

Joy Agene, the task team lead of the ACReSAL project, praised the government for its commitment to environmental sustainability, saying that the state remains one of the best-performing sub-nationals in the country.

Balarabe Lawal, minister of environment, also spoke at the event, stressing that the community revolving fund is a loan, not a grant, and must function as an investment fund for community and farmer groups.

‘’The loan is intended for communities, facilitating circulation among farmers and sustained through groups that ensure the loan remains active within your community via timely repayment, thereby enabling other farmers to reap the benefits,’’ he said.

“The ACReSAL project constitutes a significant component of the Federal Government’s aim to rehabilitate one million hectares of degraded land, contributing to the overarching goal of restoring four million hectares by the year 2030.

‘’The initiative will additionally contribute to diminishing the susceptibility of countless individuals living in extreme poverty in northern Nigeria, thereby enhancing their capacity to engage in the stewardship of their surroundings.”

At the event, Sani announced the procurement of the amphibious excavator, otherwise known as a swamp buggy, to prevent and control erosion, deepen waterways, and maintain and clean rivers.