Criticism has heightened across the nation’s landscape, as various stakeholders have rejected the recent decision by the Federal Government to increase electricity tariffs by about 300% amidst the current challenging economic realities caused by fuel subsidy removal and floating of the naira.
Expressing its concern and disappointment on the recent decision by President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the electricity tariff increase, the Northern Elders Forum, (NEF), described the hike as a “reckless move” and a complete disregard for the well-being and welfare of the Nigerian people.
In an issued statement by its Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the pan-northern group said the breakdown of the new tariffs revealed an alarming burden that the average Nigerian will face in affording electricity on a daily basis.
The statement read in part: “This drastic increase in electricity tariffs will have a significant negative impact on the already struggling population, further exacerbating the gap between the rich and the poor.
“Under the new tariff plan, 24 hours of electricity per day will cost a staggering N5,400, amounting to an unbearable monthly total of N162,000 and an astounding yearly total of N1,971,000.
“These exorbitant amounts are simply unaffordable for the majority of Nigerians, who are already grappling with economic hardship and trying to make ends meet.
“By implementing such exorbitant electricity tariffs, the Government is effectively perpetuating a form of economic oppression that will only serve to widen the gap between the rich and the poor in Nigeria. It is imperative that this act of exploitation be firmly rejected and not be allowed to stand unchallenged.
The NEF said it strongly believes that this decision was made without carefully considering the economic realities faced by the majority of Nigerians and it highlights the government’s lack of empathy towards its citizens.
It called on the Government to immediately reconsider this ill-conceived decision and take into account the dire economic situation faced by the majority of Nigerians.
Similarly, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has rejected the FG’s recent decision, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, (NERC), to increase electricity tariffs by about 300% in Nigeria amidst the current challenging economic realities caused by fuel subsidy removal and floating of the naira.
According to its National Coordinator, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, it was shocked by the upward review of the electricity tariffs, because Nigerians are yet to recover and adapt to the earlier Bretton Woods inspired policies on fuel subsidy and the national currency which it describes as comprehensively unacceptable.
The CNG said it is concerned that the increase would further burden and pauperise Nigerians who are already grappling with economic hardships, including rising food prices and inflation which currently stands at the 31.7%, the highest in 28 years.
According to the CNG, the electricity tariffs instant hike is not only ill-timed but also insensitive given the current economic situation as the increment would only suffocate the downtrodden and strangulate the barely surviving remnants of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) that are providing means of livelihood to millions of households across the country.
The CNG, therefore, called on the Government as a matter of national importance to rescind its decision and reconsider its position as well as devise alternative measures to address the challenges in the power sector that have held the country and citizenry ransom for decades.
The CNG called upon President Bola Tinubu to put the interests of his people and prioritise needs of Nigerians above any external influence or conditionality imposed by the international organisation to promote sustainable development for all Nigerians.
In the same vein, the Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has condemned the hike in electricity tariff.
The caucus called on President Bola Tinubu to prevail on NERC, to rescind this decision and prioritise the welfare of the people.
The Minority Leader, Kingsley Chinda, who stated this in a statement released on Thursday, described the hike as “abrupt”, adding that it “places an unbearable burden on the already strained populace, exacerbating economic hardships and widening the chasm of inequality. It is inhuman and evil”.
He said the hike is coming at a time when Nigerians are still grappling with the challenges of fuel subsidy removal.
However, Chinda did not disclose if the opposition lawmakers are going to take any steps when the National Assembly resumes on 16 April. The lawmakers have been on Easter and Eid-el-Fitri holidays in the last two weeks.
