Why Pay High For Darkness?

The Nigerian
populace may not have taken to the streets and roads of the various state capitals in the nation to register their  pleasure and delight over the recent court ruling on reversal to former electricity billing system, but it was obvious that it was one of the best news if not the only best Nigerians have been predisposed to in recent time.
The ruling by a federal high court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday last week, which reversed the 45 per cent increase in electricity tariff, declared it illegal, and awarded a fifty thousand Naira (N50,000) cost against Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) over a charge of ‘Violation of the court’s interim order.’ This does not only reawaken Nigerians’ hope in the judiciary, it is like regaining  a right once lost.
Although, the ruling did not go down well with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) which claims that the  judgment would constitute a setback to their supposed progress made so far in the electricity sector, for which a stay of execution and notice of appeal of the judgment  have been filed by the commission, it can be considered a victory for the masses and a liberation of sort.
The Acting Chief Executive Officer of NERC, Dr Tony Akan, claims that a reversal of the current electricity tariff regime which became operational on February 1, 2016, would be tantamount to a reversal of the commercial foundation upon which contracts for gas, hydro, coal and solar feedstock for the production of electricity, have been predicated.
Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Electricity Distribution Company Plc, Mr Oladele Amoda, has expressed fears that enforcement of the court order may lead to over 10,000 jobs loss, leaving a negative impact on the power sector as investors would not just shy away from investing in the sector,  international donors would also be discouraged from participating in the sector.
Apart from the threat for job loss, the electricity distribution companies also threatened to reintroduce fixed charges should they be compelled to go back to the status quo.
In fairness to both the consumers, producers and distributors of power or energy as the case may be, a little reflection on what  was before the privatisation of the power sector by the Goodluck Jonathan administration would cause a sane mind to either hail or condemn the ruling by the Ikoyi Federal High Court against the new electricity tariff regime.
Nigerians were billed arbitrarily, yet living in darkness, businesses crumbled on daily basis as owners couldn’t afford to power their ventures while depending on daily purchase of petrol products.  The privatization of the power sector in the heels of this awkward energy and power situation in the country, was to say the least, nothing short of a relief and so, a welcome development, which was recorded as a credit to the immediate past administration.
To Nigerians, it heralded the dawn of a new era in the power sector, a reason behind the proposed banning of smaller petrol engine power generators, believing that light has come hence no need for generators again.
Unfortunately, this great expectation  has remained a day-dream.  Rather than alleviating the plight of Nigerians, the enforcement of the 45% increase  in electricity tariff without an accompanying power increase has subjected Nigerians to more hardship, as consumers who pay N2,000 at the old regime now pay between N12,000 and N13,500 with nothing to to show for it and once a customer is served the bill, he is left without a choice than to pay. What a slight on the dignity of the persons of Nigerians and an infringement on their right to the worth of their money?.
Embarrassingly too, bills are never compiled based on the reading of the metres. The months with fewer days, power supply always bears the highest cost irrespective of the intellectual attainment of the consumers.  metre readings are done with impunity except where the consumer reaches a compromise with the meter reader.
However, anything  worth doing at all, is worth doing well. In the words of the chairman of Nigeria Labolur Congress (NLC), Anambra State, Jerry Nnubia, “the court order restraining NERC and DISCOs from increasing tariff until right things are done is in tandem with natural justice”.  No body ever feels happy at exploitation over services not rendered.
Therefore, let service delivery be enhanced, then the increase in tariff may be permissible.  Otherwise, why should we pay high for darkness?

Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi