CUPP Decries Increase In Electricity Tariff

The Coalition of United Political Parties, CUPP, has condemned the recent hike of electricity tariffs for customers under the Band A classification.

This is contained in a statement signed by the General Secretary of CUPP, Chief Peter Ameh in Abuja.

The statement says this is one increase too many adding that government is meant to serve the interest of the people and not the other way round.

“We say no to any increase of tariffs at this very difficult time in the life of the masses”.

It describes government’s decision as insensitive stressing that it has no economic plans for the growth of the economy.

“Now the cost of production by local manufacturers is inevitably going to increase, some factories will close up or relocate, which will further worsen the dollar-naira ratio,” he stresses.

“The government, through NERC, introduced the increase to anti people, anti small businesses and anti social welfare measures which will further push our people into multi-dimensional poverty” he emphasizes.

“Remember that earlier in the year, the World Bank and IMF came out to ask the Nigerian government to end subsidy on electricity. The introduction of Band A, which covers about 15% of all consumers in Nigeria and which in reality does not exist (because no area or part of Nigeria enjoys anything close to 20 hours of electricity.

“As time goes on, the government, through NERC will extend the increase to the non Band A customers, increasing the burden to the already worsening situation of the masses.”

“This may not be at the rate of 240%, but definitely, there will be an increase on the groaning low income earners. This astronomical increase is unexpected and will likely continue to unleash harsh economic effects on our people. ”

“The effects of the 240% tariff increase on Band A consumers is that it will trigger inflation whereby the cost of the tariff imposed on the producers of goods and services will be pushed to consumers” Ameh states.

By Georgina Humphrey