It is our fundamental right to negotiate what to pay for any goods or services. Nobody or group of persons has the right to impose any tariff on the people without consultation.
By Osaze Edigin
Edo state, the Heartbeat of the Nation has stood out among other states of the federation in the fight against the unfair business practices by the players in the power sector, this is so because, the civil society in Edo state particularly, my ever proud members of Edo Civil Society Organizations who paid great sacrifice in achieving what we have achieved thus far.
I did bring to our attention of a court injunction against the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) not to increase tariff pending the determination of the substantive suit.
NERC, in recent media publicity had reiterated its plans to increase tariff on the 1st of February, 2016 same date the abolition of the Fixed Charge will take effect also.
In our usual undaunted manner, we were also ready to enforce the law if they go ahead to increase tariff against the court injunction, we have equally informed them and the Minister of Power that any attempt to increase tariff will see someone in jail.
It will interest you to know that NERC’s and the DISCOS’ lawyers have reached out to our lawyer handling the matter, Barr. Adebiyi Toluwani for a meeting with all the comrades that have been agitating for a workable power sector.
They are already afraid of going to jail, the form 48 has already been prepared to send NERC’s chairman to jail for violation of court order.
They are begging for out-of-court resolution. We will ensure the law is enforced or we resort to civil disobedience.
We are resolute to ensure that the people have a say in what they pay for electricity, gone are the days when few persons sit in the comfort of their offices and determine what the people should pay without consultation with them.
It is our fundamental right to negotiate what to pay for any goods or services. Nobody or group of persons has the right to impose any tariff on the people without consultation.
Kudos to all comrades and media personnel who had stood firm in this struggle since 2014, while some never believed it is achievable, some sold out for peanuts to satisfy the ‘stomach infrastructure’ problem. In all, whatever any man sowed same shall he reap.
We should be in control of our destiny.
POWER BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE. ONLY AN IGNORANT MAN THAT DOES NOT KNOW HIS WORTH.
WE ARE BUILDING A NEW SET OF FIREBRAND ARMY THAT WILL CHANGE NIGERIA FOR GOOD.
Comrade Osazee Edigin is Public Relations Officer Edo Civil Society Organizations.
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