In defence of the recent hike in electricity tariffs, which has attracted wide reactions and resistance from Nigerians, Minister of Power, Mr. Adebayo Adelabu, today, said that the introduction of higher tariffs for Band A users has reduced the electricity subsidy paid by the Government from about N3 trillion to N1 trillion.

Adelabu disclosed this at the public hearing on electricity tariffs in Abuja today, organised by the House of Representatives Joint Committee on Power, Commerce, National Planning, and Delegated Legislation.

Adelabu, who stated that without an increase in electricity tariffs, the expected subsidy would have been about N3 trillion, mentioned that the Federal Government could no longer afford to bear the cost of N3 trillion in subsidies.