The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has cautioned the Nigerian government over the 200 percent increase in electricity tariff announced recently.
According to the opposition party, the decision is “draconian” and completely against the interest and wellbeing of Nigerians.
In a statement by the party’s spokesperson, Kola Ologbondiyan on Sunday, the Federal Government was charged to immediately revert the obnoxious and provocative policy and consult further with Nigerians before any such tariff hike.
Any administration that has the interest of the people at heart, the PDP reiterated, should provide alternatives or hold consultations with the people before imposing such harsh tariff on its citizenry.
The statement reads: “It is lamentable that Nigerians, who are already suffering the devastating negative impact of the recent increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 5 percent to 7.5 by the APC administration, are now being further suppressed with increased electricity tariff.
“Our party holds that the increase in electricity tariff, under the prevailing harsh economic conditions, is injurious to the wellbeing of Nigerians as it will further stress the productive sector and lead to an upsurge in the cost of regular and essential goods and services, including food, medicine, housing, education and other critical needs.
“This APC policy, if allowed, will worsen the suffering of Nigerians as it will put more stress on already overburdened families, cripple businesses, result in job losses and exacerbate the prevailing frightening unemployment rate under the Buhari administration.
“Moreover, the PDP invites Nigerians to note that this toxic and distasteful “new year gift” by the APC administration, at a time Nigerians are coming back from yuletide festivities, shows that the APC is indeed unfeeling, insensitive and have no iota of regard for the sensibilities and wellbeing of our citizens.”
The party however called on the “National Assembly to rescue Nigerians from such draconian policy by deploying its statutory legislative instruments to call the Federal Government to order in the interest of our nation.”
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission had two days ago said the electricity tariffs being paid by consumers will increase in April this year.
This was revealed in its December 2019 Minor Review of Multi-Year Tariff Order 2015 and Minimum Remittance Order for the Year 2020.
It said the order was issued to reflect the impact of changes in the minor review variables in the determination of cost- reflective tariffs and relevant tariff and market shortfalls for 2019 and 2020.
