*Urges halt on planned increase on electricity tariff, N1,000 POC levy
*Says Nigerians already in precarious situation
By; BAYO AKAMO, Ibadan
Pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere today, asked President Bola Tinubu to stop the planned increase on electricity tariff and the N1,000 Proof of Ownership (POC) levy, arguing that such measures will squeeze Nigerians out of breath.
Afenifere gave the task in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jare Ajayi .
In the statement, the Pan Yoruba socio political organization said President Tinubu should urgently put a halt to steps by some government institutions towards jacking up prices of commodities and services in the next few days
Afenifere emphasized that in addition President Tinubu should also ensure that the ” increase is not effected secretly as had been done before” and as well prevail on relevant arms of government to utilize information about Nigerians already in their purview as the new CBN directive is repetitive of what already exists in addition to its potential of being used to infringe on the privacy of Nigerians
The body stressed that jacking up prices of commodities and services
“would further worsen the precarious situations of hapless Nigerians”.
Emphasizing that various steps taken lately by the President Tinubu-led administration may have the potentials of lifting Nigeria up in the medium and long term, Afenifere said “ there is the need to ensure that the people are not squeezed out of breath before that good time comes, as it’s only a person who is wholesomely alive that would enjoy the largesse of tomorrow!”
Afenifere then urged President Tinubu to checkmate steps capable of alienating his administration from the people, adding that there is the need for President Tinubu to be mindful of actions by government agencies that may be tantamount to sabotaging his good intentions.
While applauding President Tinubu for some bold steps he has taken within one month of assuming office, the Pan Yoruba socio political organization noted that his actions are ” restoring people’s confidence in the government and have the potential for a broader economic transformation. But the way some of the policies are being implemented are making many to ‘gasp for breath’.
” The Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN), through its President, Otunba Francis Meshioye, revealed that electricity tariffs have gone up by 186 per cent in the last eight years. And this is not only having negative impacts on economic activities, a lot of businesses are being forced to close down or relocate from Nigeria”, it said.
According to Afenifere, ” Reports have it that inflation rate has climbed up to 29.8 per cent this month June following the removal of petroleum subsidy.”
In faulting the Discos for the planned increase in tariff on Naira exchange that went up from N441 to N750 per dollar, Afenifere said why service being rendered in Nigeria should be denominated in or predicated on US Dollar, saying, ” Is the energy they are distributing imported from the United States of America?”
