Spokesman to Nigeria’s Vice President, Mr. Laolu Akande, has stated that the recent hike in electricity tariff will not affect all Nigerians as it is targeted at only those who experience stable electricity for minimum 12 hours and above.
This he said while speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Sunrise Daily’ on Wednesday as he responded to a question on how the Federal Government’s ‘Economic Survival Fund’ would ameliorate the suffering of Nigerians in the face of electricity tariff hike and an increase in the pump price of petrol.
Big Story: NLC Issues 2-Weeks Ultimatum To FG To Reverse Hike In Fuel Price, Electricity Tariff
The Presidential aide said,
“Regarding the electricity tariff, the majority of Nigerians will not be paying more and I will like to say that again. Regarding the electricity tariff, the majority of Nigerians will not be paying more and that is essentially because if you are currently receiving anything below 12 hours of electricity a day, your tariff will not go up.
“If you are being asked to pay more and you are in that category, you need to let us know, you need to go to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s platform on social media; go to Twitter, go to Facebook and report so that what the President said is enforced.”
He also stated that the increase in the pump price of petrol caused by the deregulation of the oil sector was done with good intentions, and although Nigerians may face hardship in the short term, the move would have long term benefits including job creation.
When asked if the electricity tariff hike would not affect the cost of production and ultimately goods, Akande said Nigerians must understand the protection they enjoy.
The recent increase in the pump price of fuel and electricity tariff has been greeted with mixed feelings by Nigerians since the announcement.
