Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, the Chief Whip of the Senate and representative of Borno South in the upper legislative chamber has raised objections to the recent escalation in electricity tariff.
He criticized the timing of the move, citing the ongoing strain on Nigerians due to the removal of fuel subsidies.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) sanctioned a substantial 300% rise for Band A consumers, permitting power distribution companies to elevate rates from N68 to N225 per kilowatt-hour, effective April 1, 2024.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Senator Ndume condemned the decision and urged the federal government to reconsider, taking into account the challenges faced by Nigerians. He emphasized the impact of soaring inflation, dwindling purchasing power, insecurity, and other adversities on the populace.
The former Senate Leader stressed the necessity for the government to prioritize stable electricity provision, address inflation, stabilize the currency, lower food prices, and improve basic amenities before implementing tariff hikes.
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Ndume also questioned the absence of consultation with the National Assembly, which represents the people, regarding such a pivotal decision. He noted that constituents were urging lawmakers to intervene and reverse the steep increase.
Various stakeholders, including labor unions, as well as ethnic and religious leaders, have also voiced strong opposition to the sudden tariff hike, cautioning against its severe repercussions.
Ndume said: “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.
“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 inflation, and stabilize 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 allow the National Assembly 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.”