The small-scale enterprises (SMEs) in the Dakata/Sauna area of Nassarawa Local Government Area, Kano State, staged a peaceful protest following the recent increase in electricity tariffs imposed by the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).
This price hike, according to workers in the area, poses a grave threat to their livelihoods and may force many SMEs to close down.
One of the protesters, Aisha Abdullahi, stressed the severe impact of the tariff increase on their livelihoods. She explained that many SMEs are struggling to afford the new rates and may have to close their businesses.
Abdullahi pleaded for the authorities to review the tariff increase, noting that the workers have been unable to work for five days due to the uncertainty created by the hike.
Alhaji Isma’ila Shehu Dakata, an SME operator in the area, criticised the 300% increase in tariffs, describing it as unaffordable and insensitive to the economic hardships faced by many operators. He mentioned that some operators are considering alternative ventures due to the financial strain.
Meanwhile, a representative of the Kano State Government, Alhaji Zilkifilu Alhassan, assured that he would address the issue with the state government and requested that operators refrain from shutting down their businesses.
KEDCO’s Public Relations Officer, Sani Bala Sani, has not responded to the development.