‘Nigerians facing hardship’ — LP asks FG to reconsider electricity tariff hike

The Lagos chapter of the Labour Party (LP) has asked the federal government to review the “astronomical” hike in the tariff payable by some electricity consumers in the country.

In an interview with NAN on Sunday, Olubunmi Odesanya, publicity secretary of the LP in Lagos, said the hike is ”unreasonable”, adding that Nigerians are already experiencing economic hardship.

“On a daily basis, Nigerians are bearing the brunt. This is simply not working. A good number of Nigerians are suffering,” she said.

“Nigerians are currently facing hardship. The government should know that people are at the heart of every government.

“This astronomical increase in electricity tariff should be reconsidered.”

The Labour Party publicity secretary said the hike also hurts the economy and not electricity consumers alone.

Odesanya added that the tariff hike should not have exceeded 25 percent.

On April 3, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved a tariff increase for Band A customers.

Customers on B and A are those who receive 20 to 24 hours of power supply.

Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power, said only 1.5 million customers — out of 12 million — are affected by the tariff hike.