The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, ASCSN, has lamented the hike in electricity tariff in the country.
National President of ASCSN, Etim Okon, reacted to the new increase in tariff while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to reports, the Federal Government on April 3, announced the new increase in electricity tariff, a development Okon described as a “misplacement of priority, anti-people policy and unacceptable”.
According to him, the hike in electricity tariff from N66/kwh to N225/kwh for those who enjoy electricity supply for 20 hours per day is totally unacceptable and a recipe for unrest.
“This shows clearly that Nigeria is not ready for 24 hours electricity supply.
“I think that the policy is not right, especially at this time of socioeconomic challenges where the cost of living is very exorbitant, and the salary of the workers remains static.
“Today, we are still battling with the fuel subsidy removal without any corresponding remedy and yet the increase in the electricity tariff without even the supply of electricity,” he said.
According to him, the Federal Government was prioritizing revenue generation over the welfare of Nigerians who are currently struggling to survive.
He noted that the government, in the announcement, had said that the planned hike in electricity tariff would ensure at least 20 hours of power supply.
Okon, therefore, called on the government to find ways of stabilizing the economy before thinking of how to generate more revenue through taxation, urging it to reconsider its stance and reverse the old tariff.
