Small Business Owners in Nigeria Protest Electricity Tariff Hike
In a desperate bid to save their livelihoods, workers of small-scale enterprises (SMEs) in Nasarawa LGA of Kano State, Nigeria, have taken to the streets to protest the recent hike in electricity tariffs. The demonstration, which has been ongoing for five days, has seen SME operators threatening to shut down their businesses due to the unsustainable increase.
“We have nothing but this job,” said Aisha Abdullahi, speaking on behalf of the female protesters. “We didn’t ask for government jobs anywhere. We are here managing the little earnings to keep body and soul alive. Unfortunately, we are going to be pushed out.”
The SME operators are struggling to cope with the new tariff, which they claim lacks a human face. Alhaji Isma’ila Shehu Dakata, one of the SME operators, emphasized that the increase goes beyond what many operators can afford. “We are appealing for authorities concerned to review this increase,” he said.
Despite the protests, Alhaji Zilkifilu Alhassan, the Kano State Government representative in the area, has assured that the state government will intervene in the matter. He has pleaded with the operators not to shut down their businesses, promising to work towards finding a solution.
The electricity tariff hike has sent shockwaves through the SME community in Nasarawa LGA, with many businesses on the brink of collapse. The protesters are calling on the authorities to reconsider the increase and find a more sustainable solution that does not threaten the livelihoods of small business owners.
