Workers at the Dakata/Sauna Small Scale Enterprises (SMEs) area in Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State have staged a peaceful protest against the recent hike in electricity tariffs, which they believe threatens their jobs and the survival of their businesses.
The protesters claim that the increased electricity rates, reportedly implemented by the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), are forcing many SMEs to consider shutting down.
Aisha Abdullahi, speaking on behalf of the female protesters, expressed deep concern about the impact of this hike on their livelihoods.
“We have nothing but this job. We didn’t ask for government jobs anywhere.
We are here managing the little earnings to keep body and soul alive,” Abdullahi stated.
“Unfortunately, we are going to be pushed out.
For five days now, we haven’t worked, and only God knows what will happen should the SMEs operators decide to shut down completely due to the electricity tariff hike.
We are appealing for authorities concerned to review this increase,” she pleaded.
Alhaji Isma’ila Shehu Dakata, one of the SME operators in the area, criticized the tariff hike as inhumane, saying it is beyond what many can afford.
“Imagine a 300% increase in this economic hardship.
The increase lacked a human face and many of us have decided to venture into other things because we can’t afford what KEDCO is asking us,” he said.
In response to the protest, Kano State Government representative Alhaji Zilkifilu Alhassan assured that he would work to have the state government intervene in the matter.
He urged the operators not to shut down their businesses.
Efforts to get a comment from KEDCO’s Public Relations Officer, Sani Bala Sani, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or text messages.
