By Francesca Hangeior
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has condemned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the recent hike in electricity tariffs, accusing him of betraying the trust Nigerians placed in him.
According to NEF’s statement, signed by its Director of Publicity and Advocacy, Abdulazeez Suleiman, the tariff increase reflects a blatant disregard for the welfare of the populace.
The NEF stated that the implication of the new electricity tariff is that maintaining 24-hour power supply would incur a cost of N5,400 daily, totaling N162,000 monthly.
The forum emphasized that this amount is excessively burdensome for ordinary citizens grappling with economic challenges and striving to meet their basic needs.
The forum said, “The breakdown of the new tariffs reveals an alarming burden that the average Nigerian will face in affording electricity on a daily basis. Under the new tariff plan, 24 hours of electricity per day will cost a staggering N5,400, amounting to an unbearable monthly total of N162,000 and an astounding yearly total of N1,971,000.
“These exorbitant amounts are simply unaffordable for the majority of Nigerians, who are already grappling with economic hardship and trying to make ends.”
The forum remarked that implementing the new tariff plan without regard for its impact on the populace is heartless.
NEF additionally urged the government to reassess the decision, considering the prevailing economic hardships faced by the masses.