Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has condemned Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, for “failing to ensure a consistent supply of electricity despite raising tariffs.” The criticism comes in the wake of the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) raising the tariff for Band A customers from N68/KWh to N225/KWh.
According to the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Band A customers are anticipated to receive a daily supply of electricity ranging from 20 to 24 hours, while Band B subscribers can expect 16 to 20 hours of power supply, and those in Band C are allocated 12 to 16 hours of electricity per day.
However, human rights lawyer Femi Falana has strongly criticized this power policy, labeling it as “illegitimate tariffs.” He further asserted that both the Federal Government and Minister Adebayo Adelabu are unable to justify the tariff increase.
Falana’s critique underscores broader concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of the electricity tariff hike, raising questions about its legality and the government’s accountability in ensuring accessible and reliable electricity services for all citizens.
Falana also voiced apprehension regarding what he characterized as impunity exhibited by the Federal Government and NERC, emphasizing that their actions lacked legal justification. This highlights a broader concern regarding adherence to legal frameworks and due process in implementing policies related to electricity tariffs, underscoring the need for transparency and accountability in governance.
Falana alleged that the Nigerian government is adhering to directives issued by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
This assertion suggests a perceived influence of international financial institutions on domestic policy decisions, raising concerns about sovereignty and the alignment of government actions with external interests.
