PDP Condemns Hike on Electricity Tariffs

Tasks Buhari on Kogi killings

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday rejected the over 200 per cent increase in electricity tariff announced by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration, describing it as draconian and completely against the interest and well-being of Nigerians.

Also the main opposition party has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to re-jig the nation’s security apparatchik to enable it meet up with the rising security challenges in the country.

PDP also called on security agencies in the state to beef up security in the areas as well as take up the challenge to track down the killers.

The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbodiyan, charged the federal government to immediately rescind the obnoxious and provocative policy and consult further with Nigerians before any such tariff hike.

PDP described the increase in electricity tariff as a furtherance of the fleecing of Nigerians, who were already over-burdened and groaning under the weight of high costs, economic repression and heavy taxes foisted by the alleged insensitive APC administration.

Also, PDP said it’s lamentable that Nigerians, who were already suffering the devastating negative impact of the recent increase in the Value Added Tax (VAT) from five per cent to 7.5 per cent by the APC administration, were 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 well-being 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 opposition party alleged.

PDP urged Nigerians to note the toxic and distasteful “new year gift” by the APC administration at a time Nigerians were coming back from yuletide festivities, alleging that APC was indeed unfeeling, insensitive and has no iota of regard for the sensibilities and well-being of the citizenry.

The main opposition party insisted 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 citizenry.