….. laments electricity tariff, over ten days blackout in North-East
…says palliative distribution is not sustainable
The Gombe Network of Civil Society has tasked the Federal Government to address the severe hardships witnessed by citizens across the country.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that GONET is a registered network with the Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) under registration no. CAC/IT/7389454, operating within the bounds of Gombe State.
Established in 2023, GONET serves as a unified platform for civil societies, non-governmental, non-partisan, not-for-profit, and non-ethnic organisations with the aim of advocating for democratic best practices, accountable governance, and holistic development within Gombe State, Nigeria, and beyond.
Our correspondent reports that the network comprises over 50 affiliated member organisations, encompassing diverse sectors and demographics across the state.
GONET’s primary objectives revolve around fostering synergy among civil society entities to address socio-economic, political, infrastructural, and sustainable development challenges. It focus areas include advocating for political accountability, combating corruption, complementing state initiatives to address insecurity, and tackling various social and economic disparities.
According to a press statement signed by the network’s Chairman, Ibrahim Yusuf, which was obtained by PERISCOPE NIGERIA, the Nigerian government should tackle the severe hardships experienced by citizens across the nation.
Yusuf disclosed that the recent petrol scarcity, exacerbated by actions of petroleum industry stakeholders, has added to the burden of Nigerian citizens, compounding the existing hardships.
The GONET’s statement partly read, “The shortage of petrol has disrupted transportation, water supply affecting both individuals and businesses, and has contributed to an increase in the cost of living.
“Furthermore, telecommunications companies are considering increasing tariffs, adding another layer of financial strain on Nigerian households. This potential hike in tariffs threatens to further burden consumers who are already grappling with economic challenges.
“The removal of oil subsidies has also played a significant role in exacerbating existing challenges, leading to widespread inflation, a sharp decline in living standards, and a dire scarcity of essentials, including food and water. The removal of oil subsidies has resulted in a crippling increase in inflation, making basic necessities unaffordable for many Nigerians. The common people are facing dire circumstances, struggling to secure even the most fundamental sustenance. Families are going hungry, children are malnourished, and communities are suffering.”
While lamenting perceived lack of transparency and accountability regarding the utilisation of public funds, particularly those derived from the subsidy removal, he added, “Citizens are left in the dark about how these funds are being allocated and whether they are being utilised to address the pressing needs of the populace. Adding to the burden blackout in most parts of the North-East in the last 10 days with less efforts by the authorities concerned to restore the light back, the recent electricity tariff hike has been implemented without proper consultation with consumers, further burdening already struggling households. This unilateral decision has only served to deepen the economic hardship faced by the people, with no regard for their ability to bear such increased costs.”
On government efforts at implementing palliative measures, GONET noted that these short-term solutions are not realistic, transparent, or sustainable, adding “Instead, we advocate for an inclusive approach involving engineers and experts to devise lasting solutions to the country’s myriad problems. This approach should be bottom-up, with a clear strategy aimed at addressing the root causes of the challenges faced by the nation.
Tragically, the current situation has led to a devastating loss of lives on a daily basis, as individuals succumb to the harsh realities of poverty, lack of access to basic necessities, and inadequate healthcare. It is unacceptable that such suffering is allowed to persist without meaningful intervention from the authorities.
Yusuf implored both the state and federal governments to take immediate and decisive action to alleviate the suffering of the Nigerian people. “It is imperative that steps are taken to mitigate the impact of the subsidy removal, ensure transparency in the use of public funds, and provide relief measures to those most affected by the economic crisis.
“Additionally, we call on the government to prioritise the revitalization of service delivery especially the education and healthcare services at the grassroots, as neglect in these essential sectors only serves to perpetuate the cycle of poverty and suffering.
“The time for action is now. We cannot afford to delay any longer while our fellow citizens continue to endure unimaginable hardships. We urge the government to heed our plea and take proactive measures to address the crisis before it escalates further,” the GONET boss added.
