Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has faulted the increase in electricity tariffs in Nigeria.
Newsonspot blog recalls that Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had approved an increase in electricity tariff with effect from September 1, 2020.
This is happening three months after the National Assembly tried to stopped the implementation increase of the tariff which was scheduled to take place in July 1, after the National Assembly prevailed on the distribution companies.
The distribution companies were asked to shelve the date to the first quarter of 2021 due to the current economic challenges the country is facing since the pandemi
However, a NERC document showed that electricity customers, except those receiving less than 12 hours of supply, would have to pay more for electricity starting from today, September 1, 2020.
NERC states that areas like the Ikeja Electric, a residential customer on single phase receiving a minimum of 12 hours of supply will now pay N42.73 per KWh, up from N21.30 per kWh.
For Eko Electricity Distribution Company, a residential customer on single phase receiving a minimum of 12 hours of supply will now pay N43.01 per kWh, up from N24 per kWh.
Reacting to the new increment in a post on his Twitter page, Atiku urged the federal government to shelve the increase in electricity tarrif.
He lamented that many Nigerians have not earned income for months, adding that they deserve stimulus packages and not various increase.
Atiku wrote: “I reject the increased electricity tariffs. Coming out of the lockdown, Nigerians need a stimulus, not an impetuous disregard for the challenges they face.
“Nigerians have not earned an income for months, due to no fault of theirs. This increase is ill-timed and ill-advised.”
