Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo on Monday said the tariff of electricity in the country needs to be increased for it to be stable.
The Vice President said this in Abuja, the nation’s capital while speaking at the 6th Presidential Business Quarterly Forum for Private Sector.
“Today, we will be meeting with the World Bank on a scheme they have been working with us on to fund the entire value chain, and ensure we transit smoothly from where we are, to a much more market-determined policy for electricity.
“This will involve a fair amount of subsidy and help the Federal Government and World Bank are working together on that.
“There is no way of sustaining the current subsidies long term, but we want to ensure the process is smooth.”
Osinbajo also noted that the nation was at a special moment in its journey to food security, saying: “We are in a special moment because the Federal Government has shown commitment towards agriculture and entire value chain. We have seen the enthusiasm of all the players, including the small farmers all across the country.
“Getting feedback concerning issues that have been raised, there is cheaper credit, and the President directed that we set up a small committee to look at the issue of intervention funds in agriculture.
“It is clear, that we are not able to bring down interest rates overnight, the way out is by some kind of intervention agreement.”
