Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has voiced his objection to the recent electricity tariff hike in Nigeria, st ating that it will exacerbate the challenges faced by ordinary citizens.
Atiku condemned the move by the Federal Government, stating that it comes at a time when Nigerians are already faced with the adverse effects of subsidy removal on petrol and currency devaluation.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announced the tariff increase on Wednesday, revealing that consumers in the Band A category, constituting approximately 15% of power users nationwide, would experience a 240% surge in their electricity bills, from N68 to N225 per kilowatt-hour.
Expressing his dismay over the lack of proper notice and post-reform plans to alleviate the burden on citizens, Atiku took to his X account on Friday to criticize the government’s decision. He highlighted the ripple effects of the hike, emphasizing its potential to further elevate inflationary pressures and negatively impact the manufacturing sector, already strained by high interest rates and increased operational costs.
Atiku urged a reconsideration of the root causes of inefficiencies in the power sector, particularly the privatization exercise that led to the establishment of Distribution Companies (DISCOs). He called for a more strategic approach to reforms, stressing the importance of sequencing, implementing measures to mitigate hardships, and holding regulatory bodies like NERC accountable for improved service delivery.
In response to the tariff hike, several states including Lagos, Kano, and 10 others have announced plans to embark on power generation initiatives in line with the Electricity Act 2023. These states are reportedly awaiting approval from NERC to establish independent regulatory bodies, signaling a shift towards decentralized electricity generation and distribution.
However, the tariff hike has drawn widespread condemnation from various quarters, including the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, civil society organizations, and the Nigeria Electricity Consumer Advocacy Network. These groups have warned that the increase will only worsen the already dire situation face
