‘It’s ill-timed’– Atiku rejects new electricity tariff

Atiku Abubakar, former vice-president, has opposed the upward review of electricity tariff in the country. 

President Muhammadu Buhari approved the implementation of the cost-reflective electricity tariff for the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) in August.

The new tariff regime, which kicked off on Tuesday, is expected to be reviewed quarterly.

The regime proposes an upwardly adjusted tariff for customers who are not averse to paying more to enjoy longer hours of electricity supply, standard voltage profile and faster fault clearance timeliness.

TheCable understands that residential areas classified as “poor” and customers on estimated billing will not be affected.

Reacting to the development, Atiku described the increment as “impetuous disregard for the challenges” faced by Nigerians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said the new tariff is “ill-timed and ill-advised”, adding that instead of an increment, Nigerians deserve a “stimulus”.

“I reject the increased electricity tariffs. Coming out of the lockdown, Nigerians need a stimulus, not an impetuous disregard for the challenges they face,” Atiku wrote on Twitter.

“Many Nigerians have not earned an income for months, due to no fault of theirs. This increase is ill-timed and ill-advised.”

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.

— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) September 3, 2020

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The Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC) also increased the ex-depot price of petrol from N138.62 to N151.56 per litre on Wednesday.