Strong reactions have trailed comments by the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, that there would be total blackout in the country in the next three months if the proposed electricity tariff hike is not implemented.
Adelabu said this when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Power, which is investigating electricity tariff hike by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
This followed the rejection of the new tariff regime by the Senate committee, led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
"The entire sector will be grounded if we don't increase the tariff. With what we have now in the next three months, the entire country will be in darkness if we don't increase tariffs.
"The increment will catapult us to the next level. We are also Nigerians, we are also feeling the impact," Adelabu said.
Meanwhile, Nigerians on social media have expressed anger with the minister's comments.
Writing via Facebook, one Owuru Odun-Itan Emmanuel said: "A govt that derives pleasure in inflicting pains, hardship and suffering upon her citizens."
Abdulrahman Zubairu: "Tinubu and his ministers are just a disappointment. We have really made a costly mistake in his election. I sincerely hope God give us the wisdom to make amends in the near future."
Oyeyemi Olugbami: "And this one want to govern my State! Why must the price of everything increase under this Government. No mercy for the masses at all!!"
Ahmad Shehu: "We're tired of hearing of investors since the return of democracy in 1999. Electricity Tariff is always on increased and nothing attracted investors rather than suffering by Nigerians. The whole system is collapse. Nigerians are always in blackout. Ihave never seen the worse power minister like this man."
Muhammad Nasir Jabaka: "It's this kind of minister that will make me pray for coup de tat in this country, this government underrated it's people and their capabilities."
Tweeting via @mazinwonwu, one Chiagozie Fred Nwonwu: "As I type this, there is no power in my house. A rechargeable standing fan is battling back the stifling heat. Energy bulbs powered by a battery provide luminance. I am so used to the unwieldiness of public power supply that I get worried when it stays on for 24 hours."
@DengeTyro: "These people don't care about advancing as a society... or providing people with better living conditions. All they care about is putting more money in their pockets. And as long as society rewards greed, those are the kind of leaders we'll keep having."
@mayorz16_: "All I know is that if this man contest in next governorship election in oyo state and any one vote for him, that person no go make am in life again."
@ometere29: "But we have started paying for light with the new tariff, what is this threat for again. You guys think you won't lose money too. Clowns."
@Tee_Classiquem1: "I hope people of Oyo state are taking note of this Adelabu guy, do everything in your power to make sure he doesn't smell that governorship sit."
On Instagram, @sd_sammy.kings, wrote: "They haven't removed this man already?"
@alegrotravels: "Pls Tinubu should sack this fellow. He has no control of his utterances. A public office should manage what he says to the public!"
@joegel 109: "de pity your governorship ambitions oga if u enter na ur room for this Oyo state we de wait u Omo Osan."
@smab_bint_bakare: This statement is insensitive! Fuel subsidy, gone! Prices of good and services, skyrocketed! And yet still the power supply.... not so good! We are not here to suffer, anyway."
@olawealth360: "I thought they remove him @officialasiwajubat kindly replace the minister of power he his incompetent enough sir"
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