The Coalition for Affordable and Regular Electricity (CARE), Oyo chapter, has kicked against the proposed upward review of electricity tariff by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

CARE in a statement jointly signed by its conveners, Mr Akinbodunshe Shadrack and Mr Ayodeji Adigun on Tuesday in Ibadan, condemned the proposed hike in the electricity tariff effective from Sept. 1.

According to the statement, the attention of CARE has been drawn to the news of the recent approval of a new hike in electricity tariff to a value between N42.44 and N58.94 per KWh.

“This depends on the respective class of the electricity consumers. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission NERC has also reportedly issued a subsequent directive to all the Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to commence the implementation of the new tariff from Sept 1.

“CARE rejects both the approval of the new tariff hike and the subsequent directive by the NERC.

“This tariff hike at a time when the mass of the Nigerian working people are still struggling to cope with the adverse effects of socio-economic dislocations occasioned by both the COVID-19 pandemic and the pre-existing economic crisis, is inhuman.

“CARE does not see any justification for a new hike in electricity tariff given the fact that the previous electricity tariff hikes have not translated into any significant improvement in the electricity supply and its availability.

“Instead, the electricity supply remains epileptic while the mass majority of the working people are forced by DISCOs to pay heavily for darkness,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, Ms Busolami Tunwase, the Public Relations Officer, Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) told NAN that the company had not communicated its customers about any hike in electricity tariff.

“I’m not aware that IBEDC has communicated any hike in tariff to customers.

“If it’s a NERC directive, then please speak to NERC,” Tunwase said.

Speaking on the issue, Mr Shaibu Shittu, the Deputy General Manager, Consumers Affairs Division, NERC, Abuja said the increase on electricity tariff was not a rumour per se; saying it is a standard.

“As a commission, what we normally do is to do the standard operations’, Shittu said.