COVID-19 came like a nuclear bomb early this year. It changed work and lifestyles, affected economies, caused lockdowns and for Nigerian leaders, it is an opportunity to come up with policies that negatively affect an already mostly poor population. A period when Nigerians, just like the rest of the world, are still struggling to rise from the economic hardship that resulted from the pandemic.

In case you missed it, the Federal Government recently announced an increase in electricity tariff through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, with effect from September 1, 2020. The news has come as a rude shock to Nigerians who have taken to Twitter to express their dissatisfaction.

See how Nigerians are reacting:

These people just want to kill the average man, a country that doesn't have a 24/7 power supply is increasing tariff. They are making Nigeria unbearable and uninhabitable for the poor. sad ?

— ODOGWU_1 (@Chisom_1) September 1, 2020

Let's wake up Nigerians ??
Enough is enough pic.twitter.com/7Go3D9xysb

— BEZE (@beville001) September 1, 2020

U hv 114units frm 3k? I get 60units o frm 3k.. That means if this hike is in place den e fit drop reach 10units b dat!!!!..

— archibong victor B (@kkkuyz) September 1, 2020

I use PHCN..aswear… Seeing 114 units frm 3k I am trying so hard to understand wats wrong wit ma units subscription. And Uyo is ma location

— archibong victor B (@kkkuyz) September 1, 2020

#Nigeria keeps getting worst everyday with no realistic and tangible economic growth and development.
What a set of shameless leaders!

— Olajide Olubamiro (@JideLubam) September 1, 2020

Ain't it more surprisingly disgusting that there is no agitation against it.

— OHIOSIMUAN (@Emma_izzy) September 1, 2020

Even if there is agitation, our leaders have no listening ears at all to listen to the demands of poor masses because they love dehumanising #Nigerians to poverty.
And by the way some Nigerians are fond of suffering and smiling. They won't talk where necessary…#TogetherWeCan

— Olajide Olubamiro (@JideLubam) September 1, 2020

 

It is surprising that this is coming only three months after the National Assembly postponed the tariff hike implementation slated for July 1 to the first quarter of 2021. Nigerians heaved a huge sigh of relief when they heard about the postponement, only to learn today that the FG has changed this decision.

We forget that Nigerians are yet to recover from the lockdown – the job losses, the closed shops, and so on. And with schools slated to resume this September, one can only imagine the financial burden that will come with it, school fees and everything in between.

However, a press release by the NRC says that vulnerable Nigerians will not be affected by the tariff increase. “In all cases, poor and vulnerable Nigerians will not experience any increase. In line with these expectations, DISCOs are directed to engage with their customers on a Service-Based Tariff structure.”

How will they categorise ‘poor and vulnerable Nigerians’? Are we not mostly poor and vulnerable in Nigeria already? They hardly recognise this, more reason the government allowed the pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS) otherwise known as petrol was increased to ₦151.56 per litre with effect from September 2, 2020.

This was disclosed in an internal memo and issued by the Pipeline and Product Marketing Company (PPMC), Ibadan depot, to all the stakeholders on September 2, 2020, and signed by the Depot Manager, D.O. Abalaka.

The PPMC internal memo reads, “Please be informed that a new product price adjustment has been effected on our payment platform. To this end, the price of premium motor spirit (PMS) is now one hundred and fifty-one naira, fifty-six kobo (₦151.56) per litre. This is effective 2^nd September 2020.”

This is coming barely a day after the Managing Director of 11 Plc (formerly Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc), Adetunji Oyebanji, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, said that the pump price of petrol should be closer to ₦155 per litre.

Apparently, the hardship COVID-19 came with holds no water in the ears of our supposed leaders and we need to intensify our struggle to make actual changes.

2023 is one opportunity.