Former vice president Atiku Abubakar on Friday declared that Nigerians’ suffering would worsen as a result of the Tinubu administration’s recent increases in electricity rates.
In a statement he signed, Atiku, the presidential candidate of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), chastised the administration for implementing yet another round of changes without providing sufficient warning or a suitable post-reform strategy to ease the pain.
As a result of the removal of the PMS subsidy and the floating of the national currency, he stated, “Nigerian citizens are going through excruciating difficulties at this time due to the increase in electricity tariff.”
Before the recent tariff rise, he pointed out that the administration had not effectively addressed the difficulties brought on by the execution of such measures.
“As inflationary pressures increase, the increase in electricity tariff will cause more difficulties for the citizens.”
“Our manufacturing industry will suffer in a similar way. They are paying more for diesel and higher wages due to the new minimum wage, in addition to paying higher interest rates on their bank loans.”
“The President’s men are pushing the economy into a deeper crisis,” he said. His reforms lack a human element.
“Before launching another round of changes, we must first examine the underlying causes of the electricity sector’s inefficiency. It is time to take another look at the privatisation process that led to the DISCOs.”
The Tinubu administration, he counselled, should make sure that “these reforms are sequenced, as well as implement measures to mitigate the pains.”
“Hold the NERC responsible for ensuring improved service delivery,” he urged the President.
