The Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), has bemoaned the hike in electricity tariff in the country.
The association’s president, Etim Okon, described the new policy as “anti-people” and “unacceptable.”
On Wednesday, the Nigerian government announced a 241 percent increase in electricity tariff.
The government said the new rate will apply to electricity users who are supplied more than 20 hours of power daily.
But Okon said it was unacceptable.
“This shows clearly that Nigeria is not ready for 24-hour electricity supply,” he complained.
“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.”
New Tariff Will Save Nigeria N1.14 Trillion -NERC
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) says the newly approved tariff would reduce power subsidies for the 2024 fiscal year by about N1.14 trillion.
In a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, NERC chairman Musliu Oseni said the commission conducted a public hearing and reviewed the tariff applications submitted by Nigeria’s 11 Distribution Companies (DisCos) before a decision was reached on the appropriate tariff.
He added that the tariff announcement was in line with the federal government’s realignment of the subsidy regime.
