it is very strange and unimaginable that a country that is supposed to
be catering for the welfare of its citizens is allowing one of its
agencies to do the opposite. It is very disappointing that the Nigerian
Electricity Regulatory Commission will allow another increase in
electricity tariff when a majority of the people have no prepaid meters
especially in Lagos State.
The majority of the households are being charged based on estimated
billing through which people are forced to pay for energy not
consumed. The most annoying thing is that the government that is
supposed to protect us against such extortion appears not to be
bothered. How can one explain the government’s inability to mandate
the power firms to provide prepaid meters but allow another tariff
increment without any justification?
I do not have any problem with the firms increasing the tariff if the
situation warrants, but the consumers should only be made to pay for
the power consumed. In my area, for instance, we did not enjoy power
for up to three hours between February and April, yet, a two-room
self-containing apartment got a bill of N4,200 per month throughout
the period.
Similarly, in the whole of October, the community enjoyed less than
one hour of power supply, yet, we were forced to pay the outrageous
bill.
President Muhammadu Buhari should stop this dubious act by
waking up the NERC from its slumber. We are tired of paying for the
services not rendered. The distribution companies should look
inwards to check widespread corruption and deals among their staff
that often enrich themselves at the expense of the various companies.
The President should direct NERC to stop the proposed increment and
direct the Discos to make prepaid meters available.
Abdulfatai A. Ibrahim,
20 Omolara Close, Nureni Yusuf,
Alagbado,
Lagos State
