Senator Ali Ndume, Chief Whip of the Senate and representative for Borno South, has strongly opposed the recent surge in electricity tariffs, denouncing it as unjust.
Ndume criticized the timing of the increase, asserting that Nigerians are still reeling from the repercussions of the fuel subsidy removal.
Recall that the Federal Government, acting through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, sanctioned a 300% tariff rise for Band A consumers, allowing power distribution companies to increase electricity tarrif for urban residents from N68 to N225 per kilowatt-hour starting April 1, 2024.
In a press release, Ndume condemned the decision and urged the government to reconsider its stance in the best interest of Nigerians.
He highlighted the myriad challenges facing Nigerians, including soaring inflation, diminished purchasing power, insecurity, and other hardships.
Highlighting the need for prioritizing stable electricity provision, inflation reduction, naira stabilization, and lower food prices, the former Senate Leader questioned the lack of consultation with the National Assembly before such a significant decision was made.
He voiced concerns from constituents urging intervention to reverse the exorbitant hike.
Various critical stakeholders, such as labor unions and ethnic and religious leaders, have also opposed the increase, warning of its severe repercussions.
Ndume expressed his dismay, stating, “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.
“To put this fresh responsibility on them is very unfair. Nigerians are yet to recover from the fuel subsidy removal of last year. Many Nigerians are still grappling with the ripple effects that removal had on them. To now come up with this is wrong.
“I believe that the timing is wrong. There ought to have been some consultations, especially with the National Assembly as representatives of the people. We were not consulted. We saw the news like every other Nigerian.
“The inflation is still very high. The prices of food commodities, drugs, transportation, school fees, and other daily expenditures are still on the high side. To now add this new burden is unfair.
“The minimum wage has not been increased. Many state governments are yet to even pay the current minimum wage of N30,000. How do we expect the people to survive? We’ve to be very realistic and feel the pulse of the people we represent as a government.
“For me, I think the Federal Government should first of all provide stable electricity, reduce the inflation, stabilise the naira, and prices of food commodities. Then, the purchasing power of Nigerians must significantly improve before we can place a fresh responsibility on them as a government.
“The Federal Government needs to give the National Assembly the opportunity to also step in and consult because we represent the people. We feel their pulse, and we know what they’re going through right now.”
