Consumers oppose proposed electricity tariff increase
By Edith Igbokwe
The residents of Oshodi/Afariogun ward have expressed fear that many of them be cut off power supply if the proposed increase in electricity tariff is upheld.
They claimed that many electricity consumers in the community might not be able to afford the bill, hence they might be cut off the grid.
According to them, the community has been battling with epileptic power supply and payment of outrageous bills known as crazy bill, lamenting that any increment in the tariff would merely compound their problem.
The residents complained that while they keep struggling to pay the current bill charges, many people still defaults in some cases.
Instead of tariff increase, they agitated for Prepaid Meters to be issued to all houses to avoid the case of over billings or non-payment issues from consumers.
The former chairman of Aduke Thomas Community Development Association (CDA), Engr. Joy Omiyale mentioned that it will be difficult to increase the bill of community who barely enjoyed one month electricity power supply after many years of seizure.
He supported the notion for prepaid meters to avoid over estimated billing system which the customers find difficult to pay.
According to the proposed tariff which is to take effect in April this year, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company’s (IKEDC) customers in R3 category will pay N36.92 per unit instead of N26.50. Commercial customers C3 category will start paying N38.14 per unit instead of N24.63 and industrial customers of the IKEDC D3 category who are currently paying N25.82 per unit will henceforth pay N35.85 per unit.
The increase in tariff is coming at a time the majority of Nigerians are displeased with the poor and epileptic supply from the Discos.
The residents who spoke to ECHONEWS said the proposed tariff increase was ill-conceived and an unnecessary burden on weary electricity consumers.
“Any hike in the tariff planned by NERC will affect the market price of goods and services and the economy generally and so, no one should entertain the idea,” they said.
