SMEs workers in Kano protest electricity tariff hike

Workers at Dakata/Sauna Small Scale Enterprises (SMEs) area in Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State have staged a peaceful demonstration against electricity tariff hike which they term as a threat to their jobs.

They said many SMEs were planning to shut down operations due to the hike in electricity tariff allegedly enforced by the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) recently.

According to Aisha Abdullahi, who spoke on behalf of the female protesters, their means of livelihood is under attack because operators of the SMEs are planning to shut down operations because they couldn’t afford the new tariff.

“We have nothing but this job. We didn’t ask for the government jobs anywhere. We are here managing the little earnings to keep body and soul alive. Unfortunately, we are going to be pushed out. For five days now, we haven’t worked, and only God knows what will happen should the SMEs operators decide to shut down completely due to the electricity tariff hike. We are appealing for authorities concern to review this increase,” she pleaded.

• Dino contested Kogi gov’ship but didn’t vote for himself –PDP chair
• Buhari’s ex-aide hails military over killing of bandits, says Turji is next

Alhaji Isma’ila Shehu Dakata is one of the SME operators in the area and according to him, the tariff increase lacks human face as it goes beyond what many operators can afford.

“Imaging a 300% increase and in this economic hardship. The increase lacked human face and many of us have decided to venture into other things, because we can’t afford what KEDCO is asking us,” he said.

Similarly, the Kano State Government representative in the area, Alhaji Zilkifilu Alhassan, said he would ensure that the state government wade into the matter, pleading with the operators not to shut down.

Attempts to reach out to KEDCO’s Public Relations Officer, Sani Bala Sani, to comment on the issue proved abortive as the he did not respond to calls and tex messages sent to him.