A civil society organization, Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Nigeria, has condemned the hike in electricity tariff.
In a statement signed by national coordinator, Comrade Taiwo Otitolaye, PWYP said the incessant increase in tariff has not translated into quality service delivery by the electricity distribution companies (DISCOs).
Otitolaye said the recent resolve by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) directing the eleven DISCOs to implement new tariff by September 1, 2021 will further impoverish Nigerians.
“Too many increases over the years without corresponding quality of life for Nigerians. The informal sector which constitutes over 70% of Nigeria has become moribund. This is the connection between the abject poverty in Nigeria and energy outputs. No nation ever develop without properly situating her energy system.
“The global trends now is energy transition; alternatives away from fossils, but Nigeria appears not to be in a hurry to catch up with the rest of the world. Even smaller African countries are ahead of the ‘Giant’, the statement reads.
Recalling on how the DisCos were allegedly acquired cheaply with no tangible contributions to the economy, the PWYP said it is a case of “subjugation of our commonwealth and using it to further inflict economic hardships on the people”.
“The gains of the petroleum industries over the years which could have been diversified for the take-off of alternative energy have been grossly mismanaged. This trend will continue even as the petroleum Industries Act (PIA) has come into effect with the president signing it into law.
“The allocation of 30% percent of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) annual profit in the Frontier Exploration Fund for the frontier basins development is a setback for Nigeria as oil is becoming moribund. This could be diversified to alternative energy and the commercialization of gas to stop flaring.
“The large deposits of gas in Nigeria has become a course for host communities due to gas flaring. Our gains in the oil sector should be tailored towards energy transition not further exploration of fossils.”
The PWYP described the incessant electricity tariffs increase as too many rip-offs on the common masses which has aggravated the level of poverty, a degraded healthcare, collapsed educational system, exponential unemployment; and degenerated quality of life for Nigerians.
PWYP called for a halt to the proposed obnoxious increase and boldface policies against Nigerians.
