President Goodluck Jonathan’s announcement of 50 per cent reduction of electricity tariff has elicited knocks and negative criticism for him, rather than kudos, with the Organized Private Sector (OPS) and Civil society organizations in Edo state describing it as politically motivated and geared towards winning the forthcoming elections.

Those who reacted to the tariff reduction said it will not have economic benefits on the lives of the Nigeria masses. They contended that the major challenge of electricity consumers besides inadequate power supply, was the contentious issue of N750 monthly fixed charges imposed on consumers by the electricity distribution companies.

President of Benin Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (BENCCIMA), Andy Edobor, while commenting on the issue, said the federal government came up with the 50 per cent reduction of tariff on electricity when it was obvious that they will lose the presidential elections.

“The federal government’s action is political and it now dawned on the government that they will lose the general elections that is why they are now doing everything possible to woo Nigerians.

“For businessmen, it is a welcome development and for the masses it is of no use without regular power supply as well as not extended to the fixed charges.

“Private charges for investors cost between N100, 000 to N200, 000 and their electricity consumption monthly is not more than N20,000. And I want to ask what is the rationale for the exorbitant payment for electricity when they did not consume up to that amount?,” Edobor asked.

The BENCCIMA President however added that after due consultation, the body will come for a press conference to let the federal government know that the electricity rate and lack of power supply is really crippling industries in the country.

Also commenting on the tariff reduction, the state chairman of the National Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASS), Noma Iguisi, said the association was at loss as to what categories of the charges the 50 per cent reduction of the electricity tariff affected.

He said the national leadership of the body has been discussing with the federal government on the need to reduce the N14 per unit of electricity tariff and scrap the N31 per unit that is also charged.

Iguisi said the body would not make any commendation statement not until the federal government make full clarification of the tariff rate of between N14 and N31.

Also reacting, Tony Abolo, a Media Consultant said both the N87 per litre of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) announced recently by the Government and the 50 percent reduction of tariff of electricity were all gimmicks by President Jonathan to woo electorate to their favour.

According to him, the Greek offers to Nigerians were tactics of the 60s and 80s, adding “that Nigerians are today more enlightened and informed to make their own independent decisions.”


http://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2015/03/18/knocks-for-jonathan-after-50-electricity-tariff-reduction/

where will the votes for JonaTAN come from on the 28th of March, 2015. I am not certain the man will allow the conduct of the election except INEC allow the PDP go back to its old ways of rigging and allocating votes to itself.

GEJ TILL 2019

richol:
GEJ TILL 2019

y dint GEJ reduce 2months ago y now. Did we look like mr bean or mr ibu #ACE

playboy99:
y dint GEJ reduce 2months ago y now. Did we look like mr bean or mr ibu #ACE

Most of the things JonaTAN felt will make people like him are boomeranging against him instead. All the sudden policy somersault and 11th hour appeasing shows desperation which really make people see him.as not being serious. So he knew all this 3/4years ago but didn't do them.

My eyes don clear.

Sebi NEPA na private company wetin concerns federal government about them.., but if them think say e concerns them make them reduce the cost of data subscription of telecommunications company.

gen2briz:
My eyes don clear.

Sebi NEPA na private company wetin concerns federal government about them.., but if them think say e concerns them make them reduce the cost of data subscription of telecommunications company.

Only gullible and daft supporters of his buys into all his clueless acts. Nigerians are wiser than all the foolish gimmick and stunts he is pulling.