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Tinubu keeps mum as Nigerians suffer outrageous electricity tariff hike
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remained silent as the recent 240% increase in electricity tariffs exacerbated the hardships faced by Nigerians.
The recent surge in electricity tariffs has added to the woes of Nigerians, following the previous challenges stemming from subsidy removal and currency fluctuations initiated by Tinubu’s administration last year.
While the pain from these policy changes persists, the tariff hike particularly affects customers under Band A, who receive at least 20 hours of power supply, further unsettling the populace.
In defense of the increase, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, stated that 85% of electricity consumers would not be affected and highlighted the government’s projected savings of N1.14 trillion in electricity subsidies.
However, various organizations including the Nigeria Labour Congress, Trade Union Congress, Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry have openly criticized the tariff hike, citing confusion and economic hardship.
Following the announcement of the new tariffs by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, the eleven Distribution Companies (Discos) began implementing the increased rates for customers receiving 20 hours of power. However, this move has faced widespread dissatisfaction among consumers.
Despite apologies from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company for wrongly applying the new tariffs to certain customer categories, concerns persist among Nigerians regarding potential arbitrary billing by Discos.
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has urged the government to mandate Discos to meter all Band A customers within 60 days and emphasized that customers in other bands should not be shifted to Band A without proper metering.
With only a fraction of electricity consumers currently metered, fears of unfair billing practices by Discos are heightened.
Amidst the tariff hike, power supply across Nigeria remains unreliable due to national grid collapses, transmission repairs, and gas constraints, further exacerbating the situation.
Energy experts have criticized the tariff hike, suggesting that it prioritizes producer surplus over consumer welfare. They highlight the need for a more comprehensive approach to address the challenges in the power sector, including gas constraints, transmission bottlenecks, and inadequate metering.
Dangote Refinery has announced that it will need to export 95-97 percent of its Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) due to low interest from Nigerian marketers. The refinery, which processes 650,000 barrels per day, revealed that only 3 to 5 percent of petrol marketers are purchasing its fuel.
Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, shared these details during an X Space session hosted by Nairametrics on Wednesday. He highlighted the challenges facing both the Dangote Refinery and Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Edwin explained, “I’m selling 2 to 3 percent to small traders who are willing to buy, while the remaining 95 to 97 percent has to be exported,” referring to the local sales of the refinery’s products.
This situation arises as the NNPCL’s deadline for adjusting the Dangote Refinery’s fuel distribution approaches without a clear plan in sight. It is worth noting that while Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, has announced the refinery’s initial petrol rollout, its distribution to marketers is contingent upon NNPCL’s decisions.
The final sixteen teams for the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia have been determined following the conclusion of the group stage.
In recent matches, Ghana triumphed over New Zealand with a score of 3-1, and Japan secured a 2-0 victory against Austria.
As a result, Japan has advanced to the Round of 16, joining the other 15 teams in this knockout stage.
The Round of 16 matches are scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
The full lineup for the Round of 16 is as follows:
- Spain vs Canada
- Brazil vs Cameroon
- Colombia vs South Korea
- Mexico vs USA
- North Korea vs Austria
- Germany vs Argentina
- Netherlands vs France
- Japan vs Nigeria
The Nigerian Army has refuted claims of widespread resignations among its soldiers due to issues like corruption and low morale.
In a statement, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, dismissed these reports as unfounded.
A news outlet had alleged that numerous Nigerian soldiers were resigning because of corruption and low morale. However, the statement condemned these allegations as misleading and a deliberate attempt to create discontent and undermine the Nigerian Army’s reputation and the dedication of its personnel.
Major General Nwachukwu clarified that, similar to other military organizations worldwide, service in the Nigerian Army is voluntary rather than mandatory. This means that personnel have the freedom to resign following established procedures.
He explained that the resignation process allows personnel to prepare and manage their entitlements, including pensions and gratuities, as outlined in the Harmonized Terms and Conditions of Service (Officers/Soldiers).
Contrary to the report’s implications, the statement emphasized that Nigerian Army personnel are highly motivated, and their welfare is a priority under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
We’ll be forced to export 97% of our petrol – Dangote Refinery warns
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