Many Nigerians went online to register their displeasure with the minister and the Federal Government for introducing the tariff.
Also, for posting a statement on the official Twitter account of the Nigeria Television Authority, which did not go down well with many people, Fashola was at the receiving end of severe criticism from social media users.
The former governor of Lagos State was alleged to have said in the statement, “It is a painful pill that I must appeal we swallow. It is like quinine and malaria.”
Firing the first salvo, a respondent tweeting as neighbour61, wrote, “What goes round comes around. If it was the government of GEJ, you would have mobilised to protest. Whatsoever you sow, you reap.”
Another tweet from @Iyke_ francis, said, “You people are heartless. It is easier for you to say that because you don’t know how the poor survive.”
Also reacting to the statement @arinzeedeh, said, “Can someone tell Fashola that his quinine and malaria analogy wouldn’t work because malaria parasites are now resistant to quinine.”
Just as @Treasureleey wondered if the minister meant to tell the public that the increment in the electricity tariff was the final solution to the crisis in the power sector, a social media user tweeting as @Bukasiah urged Fashola to reconsider his model of intervention, saying “Top – down approach is archaic, the only way up is down. Generate first, Mr. Minister.”
Most of the comments were laced with anger and disapproval. Only one respondent, @truthhurts, had the courage to express his support for the minister. He tweeted, “I have confidence in Fashola.”
Meanwhile, an hashtag, #BudgetofCorruption, surfaced online on Monday after it emerged that the Federal Ministry of Education allegedly planned to spend N15m on the maintenance of the ministry’s website, the provision of antivirus and portal design, as well as the development of the ministry’s information management system.
The NGO also asked why N30.8m should be set aside for the payment of the State House rent.
“Why is Aso Rock on rent? Who are we renting the residential quarters in Aso Rock from? Who is the real landlord of Aso Rock?” it asked.
The posers, released in a media campaign tagged #Askquestions, had many online users attacking the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government. Many of those commenting on the issue alleged that a budget with different versions could not be anything but fraudulent.
Commenting on the budget, @Kingifeanyieze wrote, “N89.1m for kitchen equipment? Are the equipment made in heaven? Maybe the equipment will cook by itself. ”
Similarly, @abdulchurchhill remarked,“N38.8m for State House Rent, hehehehe…We now pay rent in the house we built.” Yet, @flashyjack thought the issue would make a brilliant tragi-comedy film. He said, “If you missed the Fuji House of Commotion comedy, enjoy this special edition from the stable of Bubu House of Commotion titled, #BudgetofCorruption.”
Meanwhile the House of Representatives may have waded into the face-off between labour unions and the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing over the hike in electricity tariff. Reacting to the development, the Majority Leader, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Tuesday said the legislature was reviewing the position of the stakeholders in the power sector.
“Our (House of Representatives) ad hoc committee headed by Babajimi Benson is reviewing all documents forwarded by the stakeholders, such as the discos, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and electricity consumer agencies and I assure you that the position of the House will be available early next week,” he said.
Source: Punch
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