Electricity tariff increase ill-timed – Atiku
Sodiq Oyeleke
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has faulted the increase in electricity tariff, describing it as “ill-timed”.
Atiku made his view on the electricity tariff increase known in a tweet on Thursday.
He said the increment was a disregard for the challenges faced by Nigerians.
Instead of a hike in electricity tariff, the former presidential candidate said Nigerians deserve a stimulus after the lockdown.
Atiku said, “I reject the increased electricity tariffs. Coming out of the lockdown, Nigerians need a stimulus, not an impetuous disregard for the challenges they face.
“Many Nigerians have not earned an income for months, due to no fault of theirs. This increase is ill-timed and ill-advised.”
The PUNCH had reported that in a surprise move, NERC approved an increase in electricity tariff with effect from September 1, 2020.
This comes three months after the tariff hike implementation slated for July 1 was halted by the National Assembly, which prevailed on the distribution companies to shelve the date to the first quarter of 2021 due to the current economic challenges in Nigeria.
But a NERC document seen by our correspondent on Tuesday showed that electricity customers, except those receiving less than 12 hours of supply, would have to pay more for electricity starting from September 1, 2020