With Nigeria labour unions protesting over a 45 per cent electricity tariff hike, the Director at the Eko Distribution Company, George Etomi, says picketing the distribution companies will only increase the suffering of the masses.

According to the Nigeria Labour Congress, a 45 per cent tariff hike was implemented without due consultation with stakeholders in the sector.

Speaking to CNBC Africa, Etomi says that protests should be directed to the Nigerian Energy Regulatory Commission (NERC).

“I think the protest is misdirected. Going to picket the DISCOs (distribution companies) is picketing at the wrong target. We don’t fix prices, prices are fixed by NERC (Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission) and NERC itself is authorised by government to regulate prices.”