Amachree cautions government on electricity tariff hike

OKORIE UGURU

Nigeria’s father of tourism Chief Mike Amachree, has called on the federal government to reconsider its recent plan to increase electricity tariffs.

In a recent press release, the tourism mogul said tourism and hospitality outfits are currently finding it difficult to cope and stay afloat with the poor supply of electricity in the country.

This, he said, has led to those companies spending huge part of their income on independent electricity generation. The increase in tariffs would further worsen the situation.

Amachree emphasized that lack of regular electricity supply has contributed to closure of many industries in the country noting however that no new investor would appreciate any business environment without electricity.

He said: “I don’t think the federal government should be talking about increasing electricity tariffs now. The hospitality and tourism industry is already overburdened with too many bills to run the business.

‘In most places, we generate the power we use in our outfits. For example, by nature of the hospitality business, electricity is a major factor. We are on generator no matter the level of occupancy, even if it is one guest.

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The expenditure on diesel takes a huge chunk of the income. To increase the electricity tariffs is to further increase our expenditure. She said this was a disservice to the development of the tourism sector.

”I am sure most of us are not against this, but the government should stabilize electricity in the country to reduce our over-dependence on generators. Once this is done, we could then talk about increase in tariff. I don’t think now is the right time except the government wants to kill the sector,” he said.

Amachree also said power supply companies should provide consumers with meters and eliminate estimated billing. He reiterated his earlier call for the state governments should take responsibility for electricity supply to their states. He said as elected office holders, it was easier for the people to hold them accountable whenever there is poor electricity supply. This, he said, would make them work harder.