Senator representing Borno South and Chief Whip of the Senate, Mohammed Ali Ndume, has faulted the recent hike in electricity tariff.
The Senate Chief Whip said the timing was wrong as he noted that Nigerians were yet to recover from the removal of fuel subsidy.
Recall that the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had approved an increase of 340% in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A classification.
According to the NERC’s Vice Chairman, Musliu Oseni, Band A customers will begin to pay N225 kilowatt per hour from the current N66.
The Nigeria Labour Congress has since rejected the hike, describing it as a mindless social violence against Nigerians.
Senator Ndume in a statement he signed and made available to newsmen in Abuja at the weekend, expressed concern that Nigerians were already at the receiving end of removal of fuel subsidy which has instigated hyperinflation, poor purchasing power and insecurity.
The Senate Chief Whip, who declared that the Senate was not consulted before the sudden hike, urged the Federal Government to focus on the provision of stable electricity, reduce inflation, stabilise the naira, reduce food prices, and provide other basic amenities to Nigerians before contemplating an increase in the tariff.
Ndume said: “The news of the increment came to me and many of my colleagues as a shock. It also came at a time when the National Assembly was on a break. Personally, I think the timing of this hike is very wrong. Nigerians are grappling with many challenges.
Credit: Nigerian Tribune