Nigerians Oppose Fixed Charges On Electricity

Some electricity consumers have applauded the Senate directive to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to halt community metering and the monthly fixed charges on electricity bills to consumers.

Ganiu Makanjuola, president of the National Association of Electricity Consumers of Nigeria (NAECN), feels it is improper for consumers to pay the charges after paying their monthly bills.
“Why the N750 fixed charge when consumers will have to pay their monthly bills. Senate should be lauded for the demand for a halt to the payment of fixed charges on electricity”, he said.

READ ALSO: Senate Urges NERC To Immediately Abolish Fixed Charges On Electricity Consumption

He is of the opinion that consumers should not be obliged to take the operational cost of electricity distribution companies.

“Paying a fixed charge on electricity is like ripping one off. It is like stealing from you. We know we are yet to fully enjoy stable power supply in Nigeria”, Majuola added.

Gracious Omatseye, the Chairman of Nigerian Institution of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), also supports this view. According to him, this halt would enable the DISCOs focus on their core work.

Owas Owabumuwa, the president, Amuwo Odofin New Town Residents Association, said that consumers had kicked against the charges.
He is of the impression that fixed charges are part of extortion stakeholders often frown at.

Another expert, Sunday Idowu, does not support the fixed charge because most electricity consumers do not enjoy stable electricity supply.

According to him, the impression that a consumer is exempted from paying the charges if he experiences blackout for 15 days is populist in nature and only meant to assuage consumers.

Idowu noted that the 15 days should be reduced to protect consumers’ interest.

A civil servant, Maria Adelabu, said she had not benefited from the 15 days blackout directive because it had continued to reflect on her bills. She noted that the only solution to the problem was to scrap the fixed charge.

Dennis Francis, managing director, Dulip Engineering Ltd., also condemned the N750 monthly fixed charge, and described estimated billings as crude in nature.

“They cannot be silent to exploitation. Scrapping the fixed charge is the best thing that has ever happened in this country”, he said.
The Senate on Aug. 11, 2015, ordered the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to abolish fixed charges on electricity consumption. The commission was also instructed to stop the bulk metering of communities with immediate effect.

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