Stop planned electricity tariff hike, OPC tells Tinubu

The Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has called on President Bola Tinubu to halt the proposed increase in electricity tariff by distribution companies in the country. The OPC considers this move to be oppressive, unjustified, and aimed at discrediting the new regime of President Bola Tinubu. The Nigeria Labour Congress and the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria have also rejected the proposed increase.

OPC President Otunba Wasiu Afolabi emphasized that Nigerians are still grappling with the effects of the removal of fuel subsidy and that increasing electricity tariffs would further burden citizens and portray the Tinubu administration as uncaring. Afolabi criticized the distribution companies for not providing prepaid meters free of charge to their customers, alleging that they take advantage of customers by sending exorbitant bills despite consistent power failures.

Rather than increasing electricity tariffs, OPC suggested that distribution companies should follow the example of telecommunications companies, which have reduced the cost of calls and data for consumers. Afolabi urged the distribution companies to justify the public funds they have received in the past and, if they cannot deliver satisfactory service with the current tariff, they should surrender their licenses.

OPC further called for an end to territorial monopolies in the electricity sector, allowing consumers to choose and transfer to other distribution companies, similar to the telecommunications industry and practices in other countries. This would create competition and motivate distribution companies to provide quality service to avoid losing customers to competitors.