Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, has expressed regret for his earlier statement that Nigerians leave their freezers on for extended periods due to low electricity tariffs. He offered his apologies during an interview on Channels TV.
Adelabu stated, “We apologize for any remarks that may have been perceived as offensive.” His comments had sparked a backlash among Nigerians over the past week, with many finding them insensitive. In a press conference in Abuja, Adelabu had suggested that Nigerians do not effectively manage electricity consumption due to the affordability of power.
His remarks followed the government’s announcement of a tariff hike for Band A consumers, which led to public outrage and calls for his dismissal. However, Adelabu clarified that his comments were not intended to offend Nigerians.
He explained, “The advice was merely about energy consumption management, which we believe could help reduce electricity bills. This advice was particularly aimed at those who, due to the recent tariff increase, will start receiving 20 hours of power per day.”
On April 3, 2024, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) increased the electricity tariff for customers who receive 20 hours of power supply daily. These customers fall under the Band A category. The new rate is N225 per kilowatt-hour, up from the previous N66. This sudden increase has been widely criticized by Nigerians, especially considering the current economic difficulties.
Adelabu further clarified that the new electricity tariff hike would impact only 1.5 million out of approximately 12 million consumers in the sector.
