Hike In Electricity Tariff: Let The Poor Breathe – HURIWA Tasks Tinubu

Civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), on Friday, backed the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in rejecting the proposed 40% electricity tariff hike by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government with effect from July 1, 2023.

HURIWA, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, described the plans as satanic and anti-people, stressing that the administration of President Tinubu is unfeeling and totally detached from the suffering of over 130 million multi-dimensionally poor Nigerians.

 

It particularly noted that the Tinubu government, with its frequent not-well-thought-out policies, may plunge more people into multidimensional poverty before the end of its first year.

The Federal Government on Monday dropped the hint of removal of the N50 billion monthly electricity subsidy in the sector, citing revenue shortfall.

The move is coming few weeks after the removal of petrol subsidy which has skyrocket the prices of commodities, increased transport cost by over 200%, push up food prices by over 150% thereby making life unbearable for Nigerians.

A report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) indicated that Nigeria’s inflation rate for May 2023 rose to 22.41% from 22.22% recorded in April as a result of the subsidy removal without palliatives and viarables to cushion the effect.

HURIWA further said; “The administration of President Bola Tinubu should let the poor breathe as all the policies of the Federal Government are apparently targeted against the poor. For instance, despite the removal of fuel subsidy, governors, senators and government officials are still going around with convoys while over 130 million multi-dimensionally poor Nigerians have resorted to trekking long distance as they can no longer afford fares for commercial transportation.

“We reject the proposed hike in electricity tariffs and any increment that will further aggravate the sufferings of the common man. If it cannot help the poor and bring them out of poverty, the Tinubu government should at least not suffocate them and let the poor breathe!,” it stressed.