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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
The minority caucus of the House of Representatives has condemned the hike in electricity tariff by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The caucus, in a statement by the minority leader, Kingsley Chinda, on Friday, described the hike as insensitive. The opposition lawmakers that the hike in electricity tariff is akin to placing an unbearable burden on citizens, already struggling with the harsh economic situation in the country.
The caucus expressed concerns that while “elsewhere in the global north”, governments are taking measures to protect their citizens economically, the Nigerian government is more interested in spending on frivolities, that has no economic benefits to struggling households.
“This abrupt hike, which places an unbearable burden on the already strained populace, exacerbating economic hardships and widening the chasm of inequality, is inhuman and evil.
“Such a hike, which is over two hundred percent above the rate of inflation, utterly disregards the plight of ordinary citizens, who are grappling with the adverse effects of the removal of oil subsidy, galloping inflation, unemployment, and inadequate access to basic amenities.
“We note that in the immediate aftermath of the announcement of the tariff hike, NERC claimed that the hike affects only twelve percent of electricity consumers who enjoy minimum of twenty hours of electricity a day. The truth has become stark that this is stark lie.
“The hike, from data put out by the DISCOS, affects all electricity consumers. This habitual resorts to deceits and outright lies clearly puts government in bad light and erodes the trust and confidence of the populace in the government.
“The timing of this tariff hike, amidst prevailing economic challenges, is not only insensitive but also detrimental to the well-being of Nigerians. It further highlights the disconnect between policymakers and the realities faced by the masses of our people. ”
The caucus recalled that “in the United Kingdom, for example, where anti-subsidy proselytisers preach against subsidies, His majesty’s Government has “paid almost 40 billion pounds ($50 billion) in energy subsidies since it began to help households and businesses cope with the surge in power bills after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine…”
Consequently, the caucus charged President Bola Tinubu to prevail on NERC, to rescind this decision and prioritize the welfare of the people.
It stated that “transparent dialogue and inclusive decision-making processes are imperative to address the root causes of the energy sector’s inefficiencies and ensure sustainable solutions that benefit all stakeholders and not consistent and persistent increase in tariff.”
