The National Youth Council of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, Monday, declared its support for the government of Enugu State for cutting down the electricity tariff for Band A users. The state had last week reduced the billing from N209 to N160.
However, the National Electricity Regulatory Commission said the state had no right to reduce the billing.
Reacting, the state wing of the NYCN, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Comr Bartholomew Ebuka Okoh, said the youths of the state were in support of the state government initiative. NYCN, in the release entitled “Enugu Youths Stand With Our State Government On Electricity Tariff Reduction”, stated that, “The youths of Enugu State are fully in support of our state government and the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission (EEDC) for reducing the electricity tariff from N209 to N160 per kilowatt hour for Band A users. At a time when the federal government is increasing the suffering of Nigerians through high electricity tariffs, Enugu has chosen to put the people first.
“It is shameful that the FG, through the NERC, wants to stop this kind gesture that will help poor families and struggling businesses. Instead of supporting what the state is doing to make life easier, they are busy defending private electricity companies that care only about profit. This shows that Abuja is not in touch with the pain of ordinary Nigerians.”
The chapter added that many people in Enugu State had been paying high bills without getting steady power. It regretted that “now that the state wants to help us, the federal government is trying to block it.”
The release continued, “This is not fair. If FG cannot solve our electricity problems, they should not stop those who are trying to help. Enugu should be praised, not attacked.”
The chapter urged youths in the state to ‘say no to this attack on our state’s efforts’.
The release added, “We are watching closely. We will not allow anyone to bully our government for standing with the people. We are proud of the bold step taken by the EERC, and we urge them not to back down. Our future is at stake, and we will defend it.”
The chapter called on other states to follow the example of Enugu State by reducing their electricity tariffs. According to them, “This is the kind of leadership young people want to see—leaders who think about the masses, not just about money. Enough is enough, Abuja; leave Enugu alone.”
