The Peoples Democratic Party on Tuesday has described as insensitive the Federal Government increment of electricity tariff amid the economic recession in the country.
The party made this known in a statement titled, ‘PDP rejects the New Year ‘gift’ of hike in electricity tariff’, on its tweeter handle.
It explained that the increment would worsen the economic hardship among Nigerians, urging President Muhammadu Buhari, to “immediately rescind the increase”.
PDP Rejects New Year Hike in Electricity Tariff
The @OfficialPDPNig rejects the New Year ‘gift’ of hike in electricity tariff as approved by the @OfficialAPCNg-led Federal Government and urge President @MBuhari to immediately rescind the increase. pic.twitter.com/prwUZ9C6m3
— Official PDP Nigeria (@OfficialPDPNig) January 5, 2021
According to the statement, “The 100 per cent hike in electricity tariff from N2 to N4 per kWhr, as announced by the National Electricity Regulatory Commission, is insensitive, anti-people and will worsen the economic hardship being faced by Nigerians at this time.
Read Also: FG denies 50% increase in electricity tariff
“The party contends that the reasons adduced by NERC are not enough to warrant such an increase in electricity tariff, especially at the time Nigerians are looking up to government for economic recovery programmes and packages.
“PDP urges the @OfficialAPCNg and its government to note that such electricity tariff hike, at this critical time, will bear more pressure on homes and businesses, impact negatively on our national productivity and make life more unbearable, particularly at this period of insufferable economic recession.
“What our nation needs at this point are positive policies that will encourage Nigerians in their productive endeavours and cushion the hardship they face on daily basis instead of wicked policies that will only worsen their situation.’
“It is imperative for the Federal Government to note that Nigerians are already weighed down by high costs and weak purchasing powers and as such should not be further burdened with high electricity costs.”
Solacebase had earlier reported on Tuesday that NERC again increased the electricity tariff payable by consumers nationwide.
Providing reasons for the latest tariff hike, the commission had said it considered the 14.9 per cent inflation rate rise in November 2020 and foreign exchange of N379.4/$1 as of December 29, 2020.
Later, NERC said it has not increased electricity tariff by 50 per cent.
The Commission, in a statement, said such increment was not contained in the tariff order for electricity distribution companies which took effect on January 1, 2021.
It said the tariff for customers being served less than an average of 12 hours of power supply per day over a period of one month remains frozen and subsidised in line with the policy direction of the Federal Government.
