The Chief whip of the Nigerian Senate, Senator Ali Ndume, has voiced his concerns regarding the recent decision by the Federal Government to increase electricity tariffs.
In a statement released in Abuja, Senator Ndume urged the government to reconsider its stance on the tariff hike, citing the ongoing challenges faced by Nigerians, including inflation, insecurity, and the removal of fuel subsidy.
He emphasized the inopportune timing of the tariff increase, asserting that it adds an additional burden on Nigerians who are already grappling with various economic hardships.
Senator Ndume highlighted the lack of consultation with the National Assembly, the elected representatives of the people, regarding this decision.
“I believe that the timing is wrong, there ought to have been some consultations, especially with the National Assembly as representatives of the people, we were not consulted, we saw the news like every other Nigerian.”
Expressing his dismay over the lack of prior consultation, Senator Ndume underscored the need for the government to prioritize providing stable electricity, reducing inflation, stabilizing the national currency, and lowering the prices of essential goods before implementing such a tariff hike.
“The inflation is still very high, the prices of food commodities, drugs, transportation, school fees, and other daily expenditures are still on the high side, to now add this new burden is unfair.” Ndume said
Furthermore, he pointed out that the minimum wage has not been increased, and many state governments are struggling to pay the current minimum wage, making it even more challenging for citizens to cope with additional financial burdens.
“The minimum wage has not been increased, many state governments are yet to even pay the current minimum wage of N30,000. How do we expect the people to survive? We’ve to be very realistic and feel the pulse of the people we represent as a government.”
“For me, I think the Federal Government should first of all provide stable electricity, reduce the inflation, stabilise the naira, and prices of food commodities.”
“Then, the purchasing power of Nigerians must significantly improve before we can place a fresh responsibility on them as a government.”
Senator Ndume stressed the importance of considering the impact of such decisions on the populace and urged the government to involve the National Assembly in consultations to better understand the concerns and needs of the people they represent.
