President Bola Tinubu’s government decision to hike electricity charges has been met with staunch resistance from the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), who have voiced their disapproval.
Describing the tariff surge as reckless, the forum accused the government of turning a blind eye to the welfare and livelihoods of the Nigerian populace.
Through a statement delivered by their representative, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, the Northern Elders Forum emphasized the grave consequences of the abrupt spike in electricity charges, predicting a substantial adverse impact on the struggling masses, intensifying the divide between the haves and the have-nots.
They appealed to the Federal Government to urgently revisit what they termed an ill-advised choice and acknowledge the severe economic hardships experienced by the vast majority of Nigerians.
NEF’s response comes on the heels of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announcing a hike in electricity rates for Band A consumers, which are individuals benefiting from a 20-hour daily electricity supply.
The Northern elders in its statement noted that the breakdown of the new tariff revealed an alarming burden that the average Nigerian will face in affording electricity daily.
The statement read in part, “Under the new tariff plan, 24 hours of electricity per day will cost a staggering N5,400, amounting to an unbearable monthly total of N162,000 and an astounding yearly total of N1,971,000.
“These exorbitant amounts are simply unaffordable for the majority of Nigerians, who are already grappling with economic hardship and trying to make ends meet.
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“By implementing such exorbitant electricity tariffs, the government is effectively perpetuating a form of economic oppression that will only serve to widen the gap between the rich and the poor in Nigeria. It is imperative that this act of exploitation be firmly rejected and not be allowed to stand unchallenged.
“The decision to implement these tariffs without considering the impact on the average citizen is not only callous but also short-sighted. The resulting consequences could potentially lead to internal security threats as the disparity between the haves and the have-nots becomes more pronounced.
“The NEF strongly believes that this decision was made without carefully considering the economic realities faced by the majority of Nigerians and it highlights the government’s lack of empathy towards its citizens.
“Instead of implementing policies that would alleviate the suffering of the people, the government has chosen to further exploit them. This introduction of exorbitant electricity tariffs is not only unjust but also a clear indication of the disconnect between the government and the people they are meant to serve.
“It is a blatant display of the government’s blatant disregard for the well-being of its citizens and a betrayal of the trust placed in them.
“The NEF calls on the government to immediately reconsider this ill-conceived decision and take into account the dire economic situation faced by the majority of Nigerians.
In the message, Nigerians were encouraged to stand up and advocate for transparency from their leaders, noting that their foremost responsibility lies in serving the populace, rather than leveraging their positions for individual benefits.