Human rights group says electricity tariff hike ill-timed, demands immediate reversal 

A Human Rights Group, Centre for Human Rights and Social Advancement (CEFSAN) has condemned the recent hike in electricity tariff by the Federal Government of Nigeria.  

The human rights group in a statement by its Executive Director Yusha’u Sani Yankuzo, on Sunday, says the hike is a blatant disregard for the economic struggles of the Nigerian masses.

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The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had on April 3 announced an increase in  electricity tariff for customers enjoying a 20-hour power supply daily.

The increase means customers, classified as  Band A electricity consumers,  will now pay N225 per kilowatt hour as opposed to the N66 payable before the hike.

Recall that in November 2013, the Federal Government privatised the power sector, selling off majority stakes in generation and distribution companies to private investors. This was to improve efficiency in the sector, attract investment and improve service delivery. 

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“Despite years of public investment, Nigeria has the lowest access to electricity globally, with about 92 million persons out of the country’s 200 million population lacking access to power, according to the Energy Progress Report 2022 released by Tracking SDG 7. Similarly, millions of households are yet to be metered, despite repeated assurances by regulators and industry players over the years.

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“The policy comes at a time when there is a cost of living crisis in the country due to the removal of subsidy on petrol. The policy is not only anti-people but a case of misplaced priority on the part of the Government. CEFSAN therefore strongly condemns this ill-timed decision and also demands immediate action to reverse it.

“We finally call upon all Nigerians to join us in raising our voices against this injustice,” the statement read.