Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Femi Falana, has criticised the Federal Government over the proposed increase in electricity tariffs, insisting that Nigerians should not be asked to pay more for a power supply that remains unreliable.
Speaking with journalists in Ilawe-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Falana said the government should first deliver on its promise of stable electricity before considering any hike in tariffs.
According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had promised Nigerians improved and uninterrupted electricity during his campaign, adding that such a promise should be fulfilled before consumers are asked to bear additional costs.
“The government should provide uninterrupted supply of electricity. That was a promise made by President Bola Tinubu when he was a candidate,” Falana said.
The senior lawyer also faulted what he described as the government’s gradual withdrawal from the electricity sector after the privatisation of distribution companies.
He argued that the government cannot distance itself from the sector while ordinary Nigerians continue to suffer from poor electricity supply.
Falana further alleged that the owners of the electricity companies have close ties with those in government, stressing that such relationships should not prevent the companies from being held accountable.
He maintained that if the current privatisation model is no longer serving the public interest, the Federal Government should consider taking back control of the electricity companies.
“The government should either nationalise all the electricity companies and ensure that they operate optimally, but you cannot punish Nigerians for the carelessness, irresponsibility or connivance of the government,” he stated.
Falana urged the Federal Government to focus on improving electricity generation, transmission and distribution instead of placing more financial pressure on consumers through higher tariffs.
