The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved the new ‘service reflective’ tariff for distribution companies in the country.
With the new tariff, customers have been classified into five bands –A, B, C, D, E depending on hours of electricity supplied while payments increased by over 70 per cent depending on the classifications.
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Nigerians spoke to Daily Trust Saturday on the increment that has been effective from September 1.
Saleh Ahmad, Civil Servant, Gombe
It is not the right time for the increase because the country’s situation is terrible and sickening considering the inflation rate of almost all essential things and commodities with the cost of living.
The high, middle, and low classes are all complaining.
The hike in electricity tariff is a signal that the inflation rate will remain high in the months to come.
More so, it is also expected that the tariff increase should be commensurate with an increase in power supply so that masses should pay for what they consume.
And the emphasis should be made on providing prepaid meter to all consumers.
The rate at which the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) increased the tariff is very high and not sustainable to Nigerians, considering the income of households and the current inflation rate in the country.
Balgum Samari, Journalist, Gombe
The timing of the hike in the electricity tariff was completely wrong.
Nigerians are trying to pull out from the COVID-19 pandemic that paralyzed world economies including Nigeria.
The citizens now have to face electricity tariff increment despite the epileptic power supply.
It would have been better and wise to improve on the supply of electricity in the country, before increasing the tariff.
Balkisu Musa Umar, Student, Gombe
The hike in electricity tariff was unfortunate, especially in this trying time.
We have a poor electricity supply in Nigeria, so I see no reason for the government to increase the tariff while the rate of poverty and unemployment in the country is still high.
At this critical time, I don’t think average people can survive, many things have stopped and businesses are collapsing with some of them reducing the salary of their workers or even making them redundant.
So, increasing the electricity tariff will make life more difficult for the people, therefore government should pity the masses now that everyone is just trying to survive.
This is totally wrong and very unfortunate and needs to be reversed immediately.
Abubakar Yusuf Abbas, Businessman, Jos
I am not happy with the development.
The increase came when people were finding it difficult to feed themselves and also pay their bills.
As a Nigerian, I feel bad when I heard about the electricity tariff hike because life has been very difficult for Nigerians.
We often heard how people were sad about the situation in the country.
How do you expect a common man to afford the increment?
Where will the common people get the money to pay?
Please, the government should do something to stop the tariff.
Ibrahim Lawan, Trader, Jos
I am not happy with the increment.
We would have loved if the bill is reduced but all of a sudden, we heard that they have increased the tariff.
The worst part of everything is that, even with the increment, it would be difficult to have stable electricity.
We beg the government to intervene on the tariff.
Usman Solo, 40, Businessman, Kano
The electricity tariff hike was not in the interest of Nigerians, and it is condemnable.
They had already been an increase in the petrol price, cable TV subscriptions, prices of foodstuffs, and now electricity tariff.
What do we enjoy as Nigerians?
I can support a mass protest against it.
Kelechi Nwaucha, Media Practitioner, Port Harcourt
Increasing electricity tariff at a time Nigerians are battling with the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy is not a good policy.
A time like this needs government support on the poor masses with good policies that will elevate their suffering with palliatives that will cushion the effects of the pandemic.
Increasing electricity tariff will bring much burden and suffering on Nigerians and the best thing to do is to rescind on the policy.
Yuhana Debiri, Trader, Jos
With the current situation coupled with the problems created by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is unfair to have a new electricity tariff.
This is not the right time for such development and not good for the common man.
It is now common knowledge that many people have lost their jobs and are not being paid due to the pandemic.
The government should look into it to save the poor.
Nusaiba Umar Madaki, 23, Journalist, Kano
The increase came at the wrong time because people are going through a hard time.
Some people had a salary cut while others lost their jobs.
I think the government should have focused on other ways of reviving the economy instead of adding to the hardship of the people by increasing the electricity tariff.
Mustapha Yusuf Abubakar, 32, Civil Servant, Kano
The increase in electricity tariff came at a very wrong time considering the hardship people are facing as a result of COVID-19, and Economic instability.
At this critical time when there is inflation, the government has to consider the situation of the people and come up with solutions not increasing electricity tariffs.
Chris Nbufe, Business Development Expert, Port Harcourt
The hike in electricity tariff is that not good for Nigerians coming at a time Nigeria and world economies are battling with the harsh impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nigeria is still battling with the effect of this pandemic and its negative impact on the socio-economic lives of Nigerians.
Many Nigerians lost their jobs and find it difficult to make ends meet.
So, increasing electricity tariffs at a time like this is putting a heavy burden on Nigerians.
The best thing to do now is to reverse the tariff.
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