NIGERIA'S MINISTER FOR POWER REVERSES COMMENT MADE ON NIGERIANS' FREEZER USAGE AMID TARRIFS CRISIS

By Olayiwola Ibrahim // The minister for power Adebayo Adelabu has issued an appeal following his comments made on electricity tariffs.

The pronouncement was made after facing several backlash over his comments suggesting that Nigerians keep their freezers running for days due to low electricity tariffs.

Adelabu made his apology during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, stating that anything we have said that is considered offensive, we are sorry about that.

His initial comments, made on April 4, 2024, sparked criticism from many Nigerians.

The controversy began when Adelabu suggested that Nigerians lack a culture of electricity consumption management because of the cheap power supply.

This statement followed the government’s announcement of a tariff increase for Band A consumers, which generated widespread outrage and calls for his removal.

In his apology, Adelabu expressed regret over his earlier comments, emphasizing that his intent was not to insult Nigerians.

It was an innocent advice regarding energy consumption management that we believe will help reduce people’s energy bills, he explained.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission NERC recently raised the electricity tariff for customers receiving 20 hours of power supply daily.

According to this increase, which affects customers classified under Band A, has been heavily criticized due to its timing and the current economic challenges facing many Nigerians.

Adelabu clarified that the new tariff hike would only affect 1.5 million of the approximately 12 million consumers in the electricity sector.