How NERC affirms Nigeria needs quality power supply

* YEDC electricity consumers reject tariff increase in Adamawa

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

Perhaps upon realising the truth in the age-long realities that inadequate electricity generation, distribution and erratic power supply have collapsed several businesses and caused socio-economic dislocations in the country for decades, Prof. James Momoh, Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) says Nigeria needs a quality energy supply to ensure sustainable economic growth.

Agency report says Prof. Momoh stated this at a public hearing organised by Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC), in Yola, Adamawa State capital, Thursday, March 5.

According to him, the public hearing was organised to gather information on tariff review in pursuant to the Commissions’ tariff regulations, as part of efforts at ensuring stable power supply in the country.

Momoh said: “We are here to monitor the ongoing public hearing on tariff review organised by YEDC and in the end to make recommendations on some important areas.

“We have our observations on what Nigerians think and want because Nigeria needs quality power supply.

“And we are going to make sure that Distribution Companies’ (DisCos) losses are reduced and customers only pay for what they consume,” he said.

He stated that NERC was making effort at ensuring that Nigeria starts manufacturing electricity meters and other energy supply equipment.

Umara Mustapha, Managing Director of YEDC, at the forum, assured that complaints raised by the consumers would be looked into and resolved.

On the non-availability of prepayment electricity meters, Mustapha stated that the company needs about 400,000 meters for consumers in YEDC’s catchment areas.

The Managing Director of the DisCo assured electricity consumers of improved service delivery, adding that the company adopted proactive measures to achieve stable supply.

Godiya Mamza, a customer from Yola North Local Government Area of Adamawa, decried the proposed tariff increase and exorbitant electricity billing by the company.

Mamza argued that it is desirable for the DisCos to ensure stable supply and standardised billing before electricity tariff increase.

News Agency of Nigeria reports that participants in the NERC public hearing have rejected the proposed tariff increase, and called for the distribution of prepayment electricity meters to power consumers in Adamawa State.