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Kwarans react as DisCo announces hike in electricity tariff

By Mike Adeyemi

Reactions have continued to trail the announcement of an increase in electricity tariff, which is expected to kick-off by 1st, September 2021.

The Eko Electricity Distribution Company, (Eko DisCos had in an initial notice,  dated 25th, August, 2021 and signed by its General Manager GM Loss Reduction, Olumide Anthony-Jerome said the increase was as a result of the nationwide mandate to implement the Service Based Tariff approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

It said the new tariff would be reflected on the energy bill for October 2021.

“This is to officially notify you that there will be an increase in electricity tariff with effect from 1s! September 2021. This increase is as a result of the nationwide mandate to implement the Service Based Tariff approved by our regulators (NERC).

“Kindly note that the increase will be reflected on the energy bill for October 2021 which will represent energy consumption for September 2021.

“In addition, for our metered customers with internal vending arrangements, we urge you to adjust the rates accordingly to reflect the new tariff increase as released by NERC,” thenotice read.

However, residents of Kwara State have kicked against the planned hike in electricity tariff describing it as unfair and barbaric.

Our reporter who went round the Ilorin metropolis brought report that overwhelming numbers of the people of the stated condemned the new price hike by NERC, describing it as .

Ibrahim Tajo, a vulcanizer along Asa-Dam road berated the ideas behind the new price hike as anti masses.

“Every other country in the world is trying to mitigate the global economic situation but Nigeria is throwing more and more burden on her citizens.

“Now, in the space of 6 months, they have increased the electricity tariff twice. I think this government would not kill us all,” he said.

Jumoke Yusuf, a hairdresser at Saw Mill queried the government to  justify the reason why people has to pay more on electricity in the midst of epileptic services.

“This Buhari government is out to kill us. So after a 50% increase in electricity tariff from January this year, we should be expecting another round of power tariff increase next month.

“The intent of the government on this  to the people is becoming murderous. How do we survive,” she lamented.

A Barber who simply identify himself as Sido, said the new planned electricity tariff increment amounted to wickedness and act of insensitivity by the government.

“The government as of today increased electricity tariff barely 3 months after the last increment, in addition to the hike in fuel and other commodities is a clear testament of present administration’s disdain and hatred for Nigerians. It’s the height of insensitivity and wickedness,” Sido said.

For Femi Daramola, “Is this APC led federal government not tired of punishing Nigerians to the wall. Electricity tariff increment is the height of your insensitivity to the plight of average Nigerians,” stressed.

“I was complaining to IBEDEC last week that what I used to pay for less had more Electricity Units than the increased Tariff. Now NERC has increased it again. Only God can rescue us from this precarious situation we found ourselves in Nigeria,” Luqman Ibrahim expressed.

Sulaiman Elelubo,  “New Electricity tariff hike, VAT increase, Petrol price increase, Snowballing inflation rate, skyrocketing unemployment rate. All from the stables of this government.”

However,  the DisCo, hours after it issued the increment notice, issued a retraction , denying any planned adjustment in tariff.

The retraction signed by its Managing Director (MD), Engr. Adeoye Fadeyibi said such notice did not emanate from the Company.

“Our attention has been drawn to news making the rounds in the media from unsubstantiated sources of a planned adjustment in electricity tariffs. Eko Electricity Distribution Plc would like to inform the general public to disregard all such reports not emanating from the management or the company’s website.

“While we continue to review effective and regulatory strategies to manage the impact of changes to macro economic indices affecting end user tariffs, the general public will be duly informed, in the event of any changes to the end user tariff.

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