Some Stakeholders at a public hearing, organised by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in Ibadan, have clamoured for availability of prepaid meters for consumers as against upward review of tariffs by distribution companies.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, which held in Ibadan on Friday, had in attendance top management staff of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), civil rights advocates and a three-man panel, comprising NERC commissioners.
Speaking on behalf of the consumers, Mr Adeola Falade, Principal Partner, Initiative for Sustainable Infrastructure Development, said the review would add to the burden of Nigerians, as they were still grappling with the effect of increase in Value Added Tax (VAT).
“We want to urge the federal government as well as NERC not to approve the upward review of tariff because discos are not showing commitment to the electricity service delivery to this nation.
“Very recently, the federal government approved increase in VAT; so you want to increase the burden of Nigerians.
“We want all electricity consumers in Nigeria to be metered free of charge, and we are saying ‘No’ to upward review of tariff,” Falade said.
Also, Mrs Motunrayo Elegberun, from the Manufacturers’ Association of Nigerian (MAN), Ogun chapter, said that the burden of electricity charges would fall on industries.
