Kano witnesses renewed protests as residents take to the streets to express their dissatisfaction with the recent hike in electricity tariffs, fueling growing unrest in the city.
Protests have erupted in Kano State as workers from the Dakata/Sauna Small Scale Enterprises (SMEs) area of Nassarawa Local Government march through the streets, expressing their concern about an alarming electricity tariff increase which they believe is severely impacting operations.
The local business community is outraged and fearful due to the alleged increase imposed by Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) in recent times.
The workers vocalized their displeasure by chanting slogans and displaying placards, cautioning that the unexpected tariff hike had the potential to bankrupt numerous SMEs, causing countless households to face economic hardship.
Aisha Abdullahi, an impassioned female protester, expressed the concerns of those impacted by declaring that “our means of survival is being threatened! We’ve been unable to work for over five days now. If this persists any longer, we’ll be completely pushed out. The authorities must step in before it’s too late!”
The tariff increase of 300% was deemed “inhumane” by well-known SME operator, Isma’ila Shehu Dakata. He argued that this exorbitant hike is simply unaffordable given the current economic conditions and lacks any sense of compassion. Dakata expressed concern about how many small and medium-sized enterprises in the region might fold due to these changes stating, “We are being pushed out of business!”
Zilkifilu Alhassan, the representative of Kano State Government in the area, has pledged to tackle the issue and assured that local government will also intervene. He advised business owners not to cease their operations.
Despite increasing frustration, attempts to elicit a response from KEDCO have proved fruitless and are contributing to the escalating tension. Workers and small-to-medium enterprise owners anxiously await an official reaction in hopes that their urgent plea for a review of the new tariff will be acknowledged as it is claimed by them presently impeding business progress.
According to Peoplesmind, Kano experienced an outburst of #EndBadGovernance protest last month that led to the enforcement of a 24-hour curfew by the government.
Peoplesmind
