It Is Unfair To Increase Tariff When Power Supply Is Unstable, Say Lagosians

THE proposed plan to increase electricity tariff at the end of October seems not to go down well with many Nigerians. In Lagos many people have different views on why it is unjustifiable for Ikeja Distribution Electricity Company (IKEDC) or any distribution company in Nigeria to increase tariffs even when power is yet to be stable. Many respondents feel that power supply has to improve before thinking of increasing the tariffs.

Speaking on the issue, a resident of Lakowe, Lekki-Epe, Barr. Francis Ogunbowale said that power supply has practically dropped to zero percent in his area.

“I really don’t know what went wrong between the last two months and now. We witnessed stable power supply in the first three months of this administration but what went wrong after is what I don’t understand.

Asked if he is willing to pay more on tariff since government is planning to increase it; Ogunbowale replied: “It will be unfair for any government to ask us to pay more for services that are not satisfactory or available.

I think government should first stabilise the power supply before introducing any increase in tariff.

He however advised government to look at other sources of power generation to boost the already existing source. “The hydroelectric power generation alone cannot sufficiently meet the nation’s energy consumption,” he said.

Captain Dayo Olubadewo, a pilot with one of the nation’s airlines told The Guardian that power supply in his office at Oba Akran Avenue, Ikeja has dropped by 20 percent in the last three months.

He further disclosed that power supply in the first three-month of this administration was super stable. He said: “ It was over 100 percent supply of electricity because we were having constant power supply and that helped in reducing the company expenditure tremendously. We never had cause to buy diesel for the whole three months in this industrial estate.

Mrs. Abiodun, owner of JVC business centre in Idimu, Alimosho local council area of Lagos is of the opinion that power supply in her area has improved.

The woman who is into photocopying, computers works, and lamination business says she spends less on generating sets in the last few months. Power supply has truly improved in this area and that has enabled me to maximize more profits on my business because I spend less on power.

Asked if she would like to pay more on electric tariffs, Mrs. Abiodun said, she will pay more if the service improves.