NACCIMA Kicks as FG Increases Electricity Tariffs

Electric meters

Yemi Akinsuyi in Abuja

The National Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has cautioned the federal government against increasing  electricity tariffs.

The National Vice-President of NACCIMA, Prince Billy Gillis-Harry, who gave the warning in Abuja, said there was need to involve stakeholders in the deciding what the consumer will pay

Gillis-Harry said it was not proper for the government to just wake up and say this is what the consumer would pay for electricity without involving them.

“The decision should come from pool of opinion every stakeholder should be part of it because the negative impact would be on all looking at economy that is.”

He insisted that before the proposal for the increase in tariff, consumers have been paying more than what they consume because of the compromise in the system.

“Actually we do not need to muzzle Nigeria because for any policy or projection, ordinarily a minister should not be the one canvassing for that, there should be processes by which those cost should be evaluated.

“Whether we like it or not, we are paying more, because if your bill is N2,000 you will discover that your consumption is not up to N1000. There is a compromise in the system.

“We don’t want Nigerians to be discouraged. Before the federal government takes any policy decision to make this increase, they should work with the stakeholders and check what it is,” he said.

Gillis-Harry said that the country had passed the stage when anybody would wake up and say “this is what I want to do.”
Continuing, he said: “We need to know why you want to do it, what is the history, the reason why it has not happened or why it has failed, and we must be able to talk about it.”

According to him, Nigerians need to be told what is happening, we need to know what is happening, why we should do that and what is the expectation from such change. If we know that paying more for electricity will give power 24/7 which is better than using generator, we will be willing to pay,” he said.

While commenting on the plan to remove subsidy on fuel, he called on the government to thread softly stressing that whatever decision is being taken should impact positively on the populace.

“I believe that Nigerians are willing to embrace change for the value that will give them a better standard of living.

“You cannot wake up and say that you are removing subsidy on fuel. Yes, we are the ones advocating for it to give room for competition but there has to be a process for how it should be done not just a policy statement coming from a minister,” he said.

Miss Columbia mistakenly crowned Miss Universe after mix-up

Miss Colombia was wrongly named Miss Universe in a dramatic mix-up in front of a global television audience of millions on Sunday, before the rightful winner Miss Philippines was finally handed the glittering crown, the AFP reported.

The pageant’s host, US comedian Steve Harvey, misread his cue card and initially announced Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, had triumphed.

She was fleetingly crowned and congratulated at the ceremony in Las Vegas and started waving to fans. But as she blew kisses to an adoring crowd, Harvey was forced to come clean and announce the real winner.

“OK folks, I have to apologize. The first runner up is Colombia.”

“Miss Universe 2015 is Philippines,” he added as the music began anew, with the actual winner, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach – a high-profile actress and television host – looking stunned and mouthing “what?”

Harvey attempted to explain the error to a perplexed audience, who greeted the news with both cheers and boos.

“This is exactly what’s on the card. I will take responsibility for this. It was my mistake, it was on the card,” he said.

“It was my mistake, still a great night,” added the talk show host, saying the audience should not “hold it against the ladies”.

The glittering crown was then promptly placed on Wurtzbach’s head. She later told reporters she wished Miss Colombia the best.

“I’m very sorry, I did not take the crown from her and I wish her well in whatever she wants to pursue after this pageant,” she said.

In the Philippines, celebrations broke out despite the gaffe.

The presidential palace led the nation in hailing the victory of the German-Filipino model, who this year fuelled gossip of a relationship with 55-year-old President Benigno Aquino by saying they were friends and that “he’s very fun to talk to”.

“We congratulate her for this success as the third Miss Universe of the Philippines,” Aquino’s spokesman Edwin Lacierda said in a statement.

“In bagging this victory, Ms. Wurtzbach not only serves as a tremendous source of pride for our people, but also holds up the banner of our women and of our country, as a true representative of what the Filipina can achieve,” he added.

Lacierda also praised Wurtzbach’s “tremendous poise and control” after the pageant host’s mistake.

Top Philippine broadcaster ABS-CBN, where Wurtzbach works as an actress and host, cut off a live broadcast of Aquino addressing the military to air Harvey’s apology.

“I felt sorry for both candidates… and for all the Filipinos… who were watching live. It took away from the experience,” said the country’s last Miss Universe, 1973 winner Margie Moran.

News of the error spread rapidly on social media, with the #MissUniverse2015 hashtag trending.

“People are human, mistakes can happen. Luckily some have the bravery to own it & take a step to correct it. Hugs to #MissUniverse2015 wow,” tweeted Audrey Bolte, who described herself as Miss Ohio USA 2012.

Some viewers appeared to be gloating.

“It’s okay Miss Colombia. At least you know how it feels to be Miss Universe, at least for a few minutes,” one Filipino said on Twitter.

The contest is wildly popular in Latin America and much of Asia.

The event was held on the same night at least one person died and at least 26 were hurt after a car ran into a group of pedestrians on the bustling Las Vegas Strip, police said, adding the driver was in custody.