Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the recent increase in electricity tariffs, arguing that it will worsen the challenges faced by Nigerians.
He remarked that as Nigerians continue to grapple with the adverse effects of petrol subsidy removal and the fluctuating value of the naira, the Federal Government’s decision to increase electricity tariffs further burdens citizens without due consideration for their hardships.
Recall that the government on Wednesday, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, announced the hike in the electricity bill, adding that those affected would now pay a tariff of N225 per kilowatt-hour, up from the previous rate of N68/kWh, representing about 240 per cent increase.
Reacting Atiku, in a series of tweets on his X account on Friday, faulted the move, saying the hike was without adequate notice.
As usual, the government is unleashing another dose of reforms without adequate notice and without an adequate post-reform plan to mitigate the pain.
The increase in electricity tariff comes at a time when Nigerian citizens are going through excruciating difficulties occasioned…
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) April 5, 2024
He wrote, “As usual, the government is unleashing another dose of reforms without adequate notice and without an adequate post-reform plan to mitigate the pain.
“The increase in electricity tariff comes at a time when Nigerian citizens are going through excruciating difficulties occasioned by the withdrawal of subsidy on PMS and floating of the domestic currency.
“The government has not successfully dealt with the pains associated with the implementation of those measures, and now this. The hike in electricity tariff will create more difficulties for the citizens as inflationary pressures are elevated.
“Our manufacturing sector will similarly be impacted negatively. Not only are they paying higher interest rates on their bank loans but also paying more for diesel, paying higher wages as a result of the new minimum wage. The President’s men are pushing the economy into a deeper crisis. His reforms are without a human face.
“It is important that we understand the root cause of the inefficiencies in the power sector before unleashing another dose of reforms. It is time to revisit the privatization exercise that produced the DISCOs.
“Tinubu must (a) ensure that these reforms are sequenced, (b) implement measures to mitigate the pain, and (c) hold the NERC responsible for ensuring improved service delivery,”.
Vanguard
