Electricity workers dare Tinubu over outrageous tariff hike

The Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies is calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government to reverse the recent 245% electricity tariff hike imposed by electricity distribution companies.

In a statement issued on Monday, the National Secretary of the Association, Nnamdi Ajibo, expressed deep concern over the tariff increase affecting Band A electricity customers, approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission last Tuesday.

The SSAEAC strongly criticized the drastic tariff hike, highlighting the lack of substantial improvements in Nigeria’s power sector to justify such a significant cost burden on consumers. They deemed the increase insensitive and unacceptable.

According to the Association, the Tinubu administration should not expect to achieve all its ambitious agendas for revitalizing the sector within a short span of time.

The workers emphasized the urgent need to also reverse the failed privatization of the power sector. They pointed out the adverse impact of skyrocketing exchange rates on the purchasing power of ordinary citizens.

“We demand an immediate return to the previous tariff rates, considering the exorbitant exchange rates that have severely affected the common man.

“A comprehensive review of the privatization process is necessary, alongside creating a conducive environment for businesses to flourish. This includes finding capable managers to oversee the sector while also considering the option of subsidizing essential services such as electricity,” the statement concluded.

The Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies has asked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government to reverse the 245 per cent electricity hike by electricity distribution companies.

The National Secretary of the Association, Nnamdi Ajibo, made this known in a statement on Monday while reacting to the tariff hike for Band A electricity customers.

Recall that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission approved a tariff increase on Tuesday last week for Band A customers.

Reacting to the hike, SSAEAC said the government had not done anything in Nigeria’s power sector to warrant such an astronomical increase in tariff.

The Association described the increase as insensitive and unacceptable.

It stated that Tinubu’s administration could not implement all of its renewed hope agendas in one year.

The workers added that the government should also reverse the failed privatization of the power sector.

“We demand an urgent reversal to the status quo and acknowledge that exchange rates have also gone so high, thereby impacting the purchasing power of the common man.

“This government cannot implement the renewed hope agenda in one year. Worldwide, no nation treats its citizens this way and expects them to remain silent.

“There is nothing wrong in subsidizing electricity and other essential aspects of the national lives of our citizens.

“The federal government should, as a matter of urgency, reverse the entire privatization exercise and provide an enabling environment that will guarantee businesses to strive before searching for good managers to take over the management of the sector”, the statement reads