The Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities at Obafemi Awolowo University, Dr. Taiwo Arobadi, has declared that Nigerians are vehemently opposed to the recent electricity tariff hike.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria on Monday in Ile-Ife, Arobadi emphasized that the masses are already struggling to make ends meet since the removal of fuel subsidy on May 29, 2023.
Arobadi revealed that the Nigeria Labour Congree, Trade Union Congress, and SSANU OAU had protested the electricity tariff hike, but their efforts were met with a locked gate at the head office of the DisCo in Ile-Ife.
“President Bola Tinubu should take one step after the other; doing everything at once is affecting Nigerians, civil servants are suffering and business men and women are not finding it easy.
“Masses are dying gradually, petrol is selling at the rate of between N850 and N950, by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria.
” Meanwhile, major marketers like: BOVAB, Total, NIPCO, Matrix, Mobil are selling control price but one will spend the whole day before getting.
“The price of foodstuffs and other goods in the markets are not affordable, so we are pleading with the government to soften things for the citizenry,” he said.
He urged the Federal Government to reconsider the tariff hike, citing the need for a gradual approach to restructuring.
Arobadi lamented that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is implementing policies too quickly, exacerbating the suffering of Nigerians.
He highlighted the struggles of civil servants, business owners, and the general population, who are facing skyrocketing prices for fuel, food, and other essential goods.
The SSANU chairman stressed that workers’ salaries are not increasing, and a new minimum wage has not been settled, making the tariff hike an additional burden on citizens.
He appealed to the government to alleviate the hardship by softening its stance on the tariff hike.
