Would you like to receive notifications on latest updates of the following headlines?

Protest Against Electricity Tariff Hike Grows Amid Worsening Social Conditions

POSTED ON May 12, 2024 •   Business      BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara
Electricity Tariff l Credit: engagingelk.co.uk l Source: engagingelk.co.uk

As socio-economic con­ditions in the country worsen, Nigerians have amplified their rejec­tion of electricity tariff hike.

Ambassador Kalu Ofon Em­manuel, a human rights promot­er, speaking to a journalist on Sunday, stated: “Honestly speaking, Nigerians have been lamenting the astro­nomical hike in electricity tariff.”

Dr Emmanuel, the Lagos State Chapter President, lnterna­tional Human Rights Protection Service, Naples, Florida, USA, said: “This development has grossly doubled the sufferings of Nigerians. The fact is that most areas are suffering from epilep­tic power supply, as if there are people who are more Nigerians than other Nigerians.

“What l think the Federal Government should do to ame­liorate the suffering, if they would listen and implement, are: Implement all the fantastic good transforming ideas proffered by experts and professionals in the power sector and from those who have vast knowledge on power.

“Bring back the tariff to its former level to cushion the effect of suffering in the country. The unfortunate thing is that some sections would have power sup­ply, while others have to pray and trust God for power supply.

“The Federal Government should make tariffs affordable and maintain a stable and consis­tent power supply for businesses to have a vertical boom.”

Bishop Dr Herbert Ekechuk­wu, an economist and church overseer, stated: “The hike in electricity tariff for Band A cus­tomers from N68/kw to N208/kw is too high.

“The electricity authorities said the Band A customers are those that get more than 20 hours of light daily and that they make up about 15% of electricity cus­tomers

“My take on this is that there has been too much taxes on the people under this Tinubu govern­ment. This hike is one too many.

“I appeal to President Tinubu to intervene on this and let the poor man breathe. He should remember that when people are pushed to the wall, they will re­spond negatively. This may not augur well to anyone.

“On this excessive taxation, I plead to the government to treat it with caution. Too excessive direct and indirect taxes will eventually drive away potential local and foreign investors as it will amount to high cost of doing business.

“Government should provide enabling business environment, especially electricity, before in­creasing the tariff

“Electricity and fuel are two essentials for small, medium and large scale enterprises. Excessive increase will surely mitigate the growth and development of in­dustries and commerce.”

Osatohamhen Ebhohon, Publicity Secretary, African Action Congres (AAC), Lagos State Chapter, stated: “First, the oppressed does not beg his or her captives. They want you in bondage because it makes them powerful.

“Throughout history, there is not a single recorded event where the oppressed or those in captivity were set free out of the benevolence of their captors.

“Every oppressed people throughout history had to dec­imate their oppressor one way or the other. Our ancestors sold to slavery had to fight for their freedom.”

He added: “Until we organise ourselves as a class for itself, elec­tric tariff hike will be the least of the issues bringing about hardship.

“Soon, the working class who think because they can afford a car and house by virtue of a blue-collar job, will become beg­gars also.

“However, these blue-collar working Nigerians know this, that is why they are so desperate to either become good pets of the bourgeois class so they can get the leftovers, or migrate out of Nigeria.”

Dr. Rexkennedy Saltlove, a human rights activist, stated: “In trying to proffer solutions and recommendations, is the govern­ment really sincere in ensuring the welfare of the citizens in the country?

“Until that question is honest­ly answered, by every empirical evidence, we may not be making headway as a nation.”

 

Dr Saltlove, Executive Direc­tor, CREMA Initiative, stated: “The duplicity of this govern­ment in showing it gross insin­cerity is evidenced in the hike of electricity tariff and the planned Cyber Security charges in bank transactions, on the eve of its so-called salary increase and after the announcement of the wage increase respectively.

“The government was giving the citizens something (meagre wage increase) with the right hand and taking it away with the left.

“It shows duplicity of inten­tions, pretending to care for the citizens’ welfare, when it is not, and is not interested in adding any meaningful value to them by increased wages.

“Nigeria is a highly endowed nation. The natural resources in this country is enough to make every Nigerian comfortable with basic necessities of life (shelter, food, light, medicals – hospitals, good roads), etc., if explored, can generate enough funds to power the power sector, paying for gas and infrastruc­ture maintenance.

“There is indeed no need to bother the citizens, burdened or belaboured with tariff hikes.”

He added: “The total removal of subsidy from fuel and light, two critical sources that help to power household appliances and manufacturing sectors, etc, is ‘killing’ to the average Nigerian, and the MSMEs as it will impact the industry negatively and need to be reviewed honestly and the tariff hikes are a gradual thing.

“In summary, the proper pric­ing of things – fuel and power – are necessary for a sustainable and vibrant ecosystem.”

Comrade Aluh Moses Odeh, National Leader, All Middle Belt Youth Forum (AMBYF), stated: “Successive governments in Nigeria have never been fair to Nigerians in the area of power generation and distribution.

“Our government lied to us to justify the privatisation of the power sector, only for the truth to be revealed later as Nigerians were forced to pay for power that was not supplied and or epileptic power supply.

“Imagine at this age that other countries of the world have gone far in alternative energy, Nige­ria is still throttling with how to generate power because some criminals parading as leaders, out of greed, decided to frustrate genuine effort of others.

“The solution is simple. The Nigerian government should come clean that it actually needs help and ready to end this prob­lem of epileptic power supply.”

Julius Adegunna, a media executive, stated: “What I think Nigerians need at this time, as far as electricity is concerned, is perfect service.

“Nigerians deserve uninter­rupted electricity supply. To have uninterrupted electricity supply may not be cheap, but I am of the opinion that Nigerians will be ready to pay for the best of service.

“Having said that, the Feder­al Government should open up the Nigerian electricity market more.”

READ ALSO
IMF urges Nigeria to exercise fiscal caution amid economic reforms
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 24, 2025 0

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has called on Nigeria to exercise caution in its expenditures...

READ ALSO
FG urges IMF, World Bank to bolster economic reforms in sub-saharan Africa
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 24, 2025 0

Finance Minister Wale Edun has emphasized the need for increased global assistance to reform economi...

READ ALSO
Nigeria's Economic Reforms Boost Sovereign Credit Profile - IMF
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 23, 2025 0

The Assistant Director for Global Markets at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Jason Wu,  ...

READ ALSO
Trade Wars Take Center Stage at IM ,World Bank Spring Meetings
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 22, 2025 0

Global finance leaders are convening in Washington this week for the semi-annual meetings of the Int...

READ ALSO
Kano secures $10bn investment for renewable energy, minerals in partnership with Morocco
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 21, 2025 0

KANO, Nigeria (NAN) - The government of Kano state has announced that it will secure more than $10 b...

READ ALSO
RMAFC, ALGON collaborate to strengthen LG financial autonomy
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 18, 2025 0

The Chairman of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), Dr. Mohammed Bell...

READ ALSO
LCCI, NIXIN call for government support to revitalize Nigeria's paper manufacturing industry
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 18, 2025 0

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), in collaboration with NIXIN Paper Mill Nigeria Li...

READ ALSO
Cross River to rejuvenate rubber estates after out-of-court settlement with Enghaut industries
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 18, 2025 0

CROSS RIVERS, Nigeria - The Cross River State Government, along with Enghaut Industries, has reached...

OUR CHANNELS:

Family seeks Justice following Police arrest and disappearance
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

The family of Osas Azenabor, who was allegedly arrested by police on November 1, 2024, in the Mile 1...


Local groups seek FG backing to fight insecurity in Nigeria
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

In the face of increasing insecurity nationwide, hunters and farmers are urging the Federal Governme...


Zulum raises alarm over Boko Haram resurgence in Borno State
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

Borno, Nigeria - The Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum has expressed concern about the re-emer...


Atiku declares 2027 elections a referendum against Tinubu's administration
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has stated that the upcoming 2027 general election will not be...


CBN allows cash transactions for 2025 pilgrims to Mecca following VP intervention
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has granted permission for the 2025 intending pil...


Court order EFCC to detain CBEX Staff
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria (NAN) - The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, authorized the Economic and Fina...


2face set to marry Edo politician Natasha in traditional wedding, April 25
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

A popular Nigerian singer and multiple award winner, Innocent Idibia, known as "2Baba," alongside Ed...


Nigeria must leverage skills of retired military personnel in security strategy- Babandede
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

Muhammed Babandede, a former comptroller-general of the Nigeria Immigration Service, has urged Presi...


Bauchi university dismisses lecturer over sexual assault
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

Bauchi, Nigeria - The Governing Council of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi State has ter...


FG commends Ghana for rescuing 219 trafficked Nigerians from cybercrime
BY Abiodun Saheed Omodara April 27, 2025 0

ABUJA, Nigeria - The federal government has praised the Ghanaian authorities for rescuing at least 2...


More Articles

Load more...

Menu