Hike in electricity charges suicidal – Consumers

From Jimoh Ahmed, Ikare Akoko.
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Nigerians have described the proposed increase in electricity charges in the country as not only suicidal but also the last straw that will break the back of the country’s economy.

Some  electricity consumers  who spoke separately with The Hope in the Ondo North District on the proposed increase in electricity tariff, declared that it would have a multiplier effect on the  socio-economic growth of the country.

According to them, increasing electricity tariff at this time of the nation’s life is making life more difficult for the people.

Speaking on the situation, the president of Owo Unity Group, Pastor Idowu Adebayo, said increasing electricity tariff now is like placing a heavy burden on the masses.

According to  Adebayo, while Nigerians are still counting their economic woes, any further increase in the price of electricity charges will further compound their myriad of problems.

He querried the rationale behind any increase when electricity consumers  are currently  being charged crazy and outrageous bills.

An economist from Ajowa in Akoko Northwest Local Government area of the state, Alhaji Jimoh Ayegboka noted that it might  lead to  acute inflation.

Alhaji Ayegboka said many factories that relied on electricity might fold up thereby increasing the unemployment rate in the country.

He said efforts must be made to supply all consumers with prepaid meters before any increase, if it became necessary to do so.

A lawyer from Okeagbe, headquarters of Akoko Northwest Local Government, Mr Bayo Awe, urged electricity distribution companies and other agencies to ensure that  electricity is stable, while abandoned power stations in the country should be  completed to boost supply.

Awe noted that millions of naira have been wasted on power stations across the country which  he described as a sad story to many Nigerians.

A market woman and the Iyalaje of Ikare, Akoko, Chief  Risikatu Mohamed, appealed to the Federal Government to rescind its decision because the poor consumers will bear the brunt.

According to her, manufacturers will use the increase in electricity tariff to jerk up their prices, which would be inimical to the interest of the ordinary man.