Artisans Decry FG’s Plan To Increase Electricity Tariff

Some artisans in Lagos have expressed displeasure over government’s proposal to further increase electricity tariff in June through the Multi-Year Tariff-Order (MYTO).

The artisans, who spoke with newsmen  in separate interviews, condemned the proposal.

They said that there was no justification for any increase in the tariff when power supply was still epileptic.

It would be  recalled that the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr. Sam Amadi,  had said that Nigerians would pay at least N12 per kilowatt hour (Kwh) of electricity from June 1.

The tariff was hiked to an average of N10 per kilowatt from N8 in July 2011.

Mr Lawal Bakare, the Managing Director of the Lawee-B Packaging Press in Oyingbo, told newsmen  that government should consider the plight of artisans before increasing the tariff.

According to him, Lagos residents hardly get three hours of constant power supply in a day and he advised government to ensure steady power supply before increasing the tariff.

Bakare said that the interest of consumers would be better served with full implementation of the prepaid metering system.

“Government has not gotten it right as regards power supply, over three years that I have been working here, I have not enjoyed constant power supply.

“Any reform that does not realise the need for total overhaul of the current billing method would be unfair to consumers,’’ he said.

The Managing Partner, Essence Beauty Saloon, Alagomeji, Mrs Alice Jokotola, advised government to ensure constant electricity supply before thinking of raising tariff,appealing  to the Federal Government not to compound problems of Nigerians with tariff increase.

“A situation where tariff is increased at a time when the billing system is still faulty, not transparent and not credible is unfair and unjustifiable,’’ she said.

Mr Philips Braimoh, the Managing Director, Sea-Cool Refrigerator Limited advised government to implement the prepaid metering system.

He observed that the statistics of Nigerians living below the poverty line was enough justification for government to shelve the plan to increase the tariff.

“We need to remind the government on what its priorities in the power sector should be.

“The Ministry of Power should first strive to improve the quality of service delivery and not contemplate any form of tariff review,’’ he said.

Mrs Shakirat Badmus, a fashion designer at Alaka Housing Estate, appealed to President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene and ensure that PHCN and the ministry rescind the plan.