A former Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido-Sanusi, on Tuesday, said Nigerians protested the recent increase in the electricity tariff by the Federal Government because they are not sure of getting value for their money.
Speaking while delivering a keynote address at the 5th Kaduna Investments Summit, Mr Sanusi explained that many Nigerians, including traders, would be willing to pay double if electricity is regular and boosts their sales.
Mr Sanusi said, “On tariff use and compensation, the government is not having that conversation in a manner that convinces people.
“People need to understand, you complain about tariffs because you are thinking of it from a consumption perspective. Look at electricity as a critical import into production, productivity, earnings, as an economic resource.
“Look at how much money you can make. There is a difference between not earning a thing and not earning something, between extreme poverty and rising above the poverty line.
“People will pay anything for electricity if they knew how to earn from it. When people cry, it is because they are paying for power and earning nothing from it.
“If you go to a village and sell for N100 per kilowatt and the trader is making four times more with it, he will pay twice.”
The former emir also urged the federal and state governments to ensure a link between infrastructural and economic development.
“You have to make sure your projects are linked, you don’t just build a road here, a rail line there, an airport there without knowing how they are going to translate into economic gains.
“When we build airports, it should not be because people want to fly from Abuja to Kano for a wedding,” he added.
