Rice producers of Talata Mafara in Zamfara?have shut down their?business following an increase in electricity tariff, the?News Agency of Nigeria?(NAN?) reports.
Speaking with NAN?in Talata Mafara, the?local government headquarters of the state governor on Thursday, Malam?Suleiman??Adamu?, the Secretary of the Rice Producers Association,?said: “We are not on strike but we cannot run our business at a loss.”
Adamu said that?all the?rice processing machines had been shut down and the activities of?members of the association stopped “because we can’t cope with the current PHCN bills which is aimed at taking almost all our profits.”
According to him, PHCN used to charge?a fixed monthly bill of N4,000 on each?processing machine but? the amount?suddenly jumped?to N7,5000 per machine per month.
He said that?although the situation had hiked the cost rice?from N350 to N420 per kilo, the processors?still?operate at a loss, adding that?patronage would also be affected?due to the price increase..
When contacted, the Area Manager of PHCN, Mr?Muktar Daura, explained that the increase in tariff was a national issue aimed at making electricity supply more efficient.
NAN reports that Talata Mafara processed rice is considered?one of the best and therefore, attracted patronage?from far and near.
The rice producers in the area had been?taking advantage of the Bakolori Dam?constructed by the Shehu Shagari administration in the 1980s. (NAN)