The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described the planned increase in electricity tariff as draconian, provocative and obnoxious.
The federal government at the weekend announced a 78-percent increase in electricity tariff for the various categories of consumers, excluding consumers in the residential category.
Condemning the increase in a statement Sunday, spokesman of opposition PDP, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan, said it’s completely against the interest and wellbeing of Nigerians.
He said the increase was a further “fleecing of Nigerians”, who the party said, were already overburdened and groaning under the weight of high costs, economic repression and heavy taxes foisted by the “insensitive” administration of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“It is lamentable that Nigerians, who are already suffering the devastating negative impact of the recent increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) from 5 percent to 7.5 by the APC administration, are now being further suppressed with increased electricity tariff.
“Our party holds that the increase in electricity tariff, under the prevailing harsh economic conditions, is injurious to the wellbeing of Nigerians as it will further stress the productive sector and lead to an upsurge in the cost of regular and essential goods and services, including food, medicine, housing, education and other critical needs.
“This APC policy, if allowed, will worsen the suffering of Nigerians as it will put more stress on already overburdened families, cripple businesses, result in job losses and exacerbate the prevailing frightening unemployment rate under the Buhari administration,” the party said..
Describing the latest tariff increase as toxic and distasteful “new year gift” to Nigerians, the opposition party said the APC-led administration lacked feeling, insensitive and had no regard for the sensibilities and wellbeing of the citizenry.
The PDP asked the National Assembly to rescue Nigerians from such draconian policy by deploying its statutory legislative instruments to call the federal government to order in the interest of the nation.
“The PDP insists that any administration that has the interest of the people at heart should provide alternatives or hold consultations with the people before imposing such harsh tariff on its citizens”, the statement also said.
