By Mike Adeyemi
Kwara residents have condemned the Federal Government over another hike in electricity tariff.
It would be recalled that the Nigeria Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) on Tuesday announced a new electricity tariff hike of 50%.
The new tariff regime took effect on the 1st of January and to be complied with by customers of the 11 electricity Distribution Companies.
According to NERC, the 14.9% inflation rate rise in November 2020, foreign exchange of N379.4/$1 as of December 29, 2020, available generation capacity, US inflation rate of 1.22% and the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) of the power firms resulted in the new tariff.
It would be also be recalled that the last tariff hike by the government almost led to the shutdown of the country by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), and Trade Union Congress(TUC).
The recent development has stirred reactions from Kwarans who criticised the government and accused it of being insensitive to the plight of Nigerians especially at a time when the country’s economy is not stable.
Many residents who spoke with our reporter in Ilorin, the state capital on Thursday called for a reversal of the hike, adding that citizens were already suffering due to the pandemic.
A trader, Mr Abdulahi Magaji, described the increment in tariff as a gross misplaced priority.
“It is indeed a misplace of priority. 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. Its quite unfortunate,” Magaji lamented.
In the same vein, a welder, Mr. Dauda Ibrahim, decried the hike in electricity tariff which he said is taking toll on his business.
“This government is totally anti-people. The intent of the government now to the people is becoming murderous. How do we survive this,?” he queried
He added that the epileptic supply of electricity has led him to abandon his job to become a commercial motorcyclist.
In his view, an hotelier, Musbau Atere, said
“The recent increase in electricity tariff barely three months after the last increment, in addition to the hike in fuel and other commodities is a clear indication of government’s disdain and hatred for Nigerians. It’s the height of insensitivity and wickedness.”
Similarly, a lawyer, Akeem Abdulsalam, condemned the hike in tariff and said it has no basis.
“Electricity tariff increment is the height of the present government insensitivity to the plight of average Nigerians.
“They never increased the quality of power supply and only increased tariffs. Nigerians should go back to the olden days and use lanterns and bush lanterns. I know most of our people generate their own electricity with their generators, ” he stated.
A trader, Hajia Baliq Yaqub berated added,
“What sin has Nigerians committed against this present government? How does Buhari and his cabinet expect poor Nigeria citizens to pay this hike in electricity.
“People barely feed three times a day and government keeps increasing electricity tariff. This is outright wickedness,” she said.
When contacted, the Regional Communication Officer, IBDEC Challenge head office, Ilorin, Kola Asaju declined comments on the issue as he said he hasn’t been authorised order to speak with media on the recent tariff increment.
“You have to wait until we issue a press release on the issue by next week. I have not gotten order from the headquarter in Lagos to comment on it for now,” Asaju said.
