Dr Sam Amadi, NERC Chairman
Some electricity consumers on Tuesday faulted the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) intention to increase electricity tariff by October.
Those who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Lagos said that the increase was unwarranted because there were issues to be resolved.
Mr Simon Dennis, who operates a laundry services in Ikeja said: “The increase is uncalled for because the issue of crazy bills and others had not been dealt with.”
“A further increase when these are pending means we should be prepared for more crazy bills.
“The fact that power supply has improved does not mean this problem has been solved because many homes still receive bills, which they did not consumed.”
Dennis alleged that officials of the distribution firms hardly read analogue meters, adding that until all consumers got pre-paid meters, the issue of crazy bill would remain.
Mr Julius Bamidele, the Chairman, Sunshine Estate, Bariga, described the increase as disincentive to the poor and small businesses in the face of hash economic environment.
According to him, although there has been improvement in power supply, that does not warrant an increase in tariff.
Bamidele urged the government to only review tariff when all issues raised by consumers were resolved.
Similarly, Mrs Felicia Kotun, a civil servant, said that the proposed increase would do more harm than good to the people.
According to Kotun, consumers will be willing to pay a new tariff if they are sure of paying for what they have consumed through pre-paid meters.
Mr Tokunbo Jegede, a sachet water operator in Apapa said that the monthly bill to his company grew from N87,000 in December 2014 to N171,900 in January.
Jegede said that a further increase would add additional burden to his business.
NAN reports that on Sept. 15, the Chairman of NERC, Mr Sam Amadi, said that …Read More
Source:: PM Newspaper
