Mixed Reactions Trail New Electricity Tariff

A cross-section of the International Monetary Fund team led by Mr Sailendra Pathanayak (right), during their visit to the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation in Abuja on Friday.

As the controversial
new electricity tariff commences today, some consumers in Port Harcourt have reacted with mixed feelings over the development.
A cross section of electricity consumers who spoke with The Tide correspondent said the new tariff would help the managements of the distribution firms to improve on their supply to meet  the demands of the masses, while some said the increase is not necessary for now until the Discos convince consumers by providing constant electricity supply.
According to them, the electricity regulatory body should have carried out more enlightenment on the need for the increase in tariff so that electricity consumers would not have been taken by surprise.
Chief Gogo Awaji-Otu in his reaction noted that he was surprised over the new electricity tariff as he was hearing of the increase for the first time, and called on the authorities to enlighten the public before embarking on the increase.
Awaji-Otu said the increase would have been necessary if the DISCOs improved on their services.
Also reacting, Sampson Brown noted that enlightenment on the increase was not enough, but wanted the regulators and the distributors to live-up to expectation with the new development.
Madam Rose Tamunokuro also has this to say, “it is wrong timing to increase electricity bills when we are not enjoying electricity at all. They should improve before asking us to pay more money.”
According to her, the increase should tally with the supply so as to justify the new arrangement.
Bubari Nto-ue, in his reaction wants the authorities to increase the tariff if only that would enable them improve on their services to the masses.