Should electricity tariff be increased by 35 per cent?

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission said the electricity tariffs paid by consumers will increase from April 1, this year. The increase will be an average of 35 percent. Daily Trust Saturday sampled the opinion of few Nigerians.

Alhaji Kazeem Adio, 45, Former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Osun State

Increasing electricity tariff will be another burden on the people and that is unacceptable. Does the current tariff give value for the money paid by Nigerians? People are paying without getting adequate electricity. If the tariff must be increased, people should feel the impact in terms of stable electricity supply.

Prince Wale Olayemi, 53, Public Affairs Analyst, Osogbo

It is out of place to increase electricity tariff at this time. The timing is inappropriate. A lot of consumers are not enjoying electricity supply. The Federal Government and National Electricity Regulatory Commission must ensure almost 24-hour electricity supply before considering any tariff increment.

Adamu Hassan, 49, Private Security Guard, Kaduna

Why should the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission suggest a hike in electricity tariff when they know that we are not even getting enough supply? Will a hike ensure that we get enough power supply across the country or is it just another ploy to over extort us? I’m not happy about this because there are times that the electricity distribution companies only supply electricity to locations where their staff reside while citizens are overcharged. Even when we are overcharged, we do not get electricity supply. My suggestion is for the federal government to take over the business of electricity in Nigeria. That way, we know we are paying for the development of the country, not paying into private pockets.

Ishola Temitope, 26, Law Student, Abuja

Majority of Nigerians fall in the category of residential consumers who use single-phase and three-phase meters; as well as electricity consumption of about 50kWh in premises with flats exclusively for residential purposes. Under the economic objective, the national economy is to be controlled in such a manner as to secure the maximum welfare, freedom and happiness of every citizen based on social justice and equality of status and opportunity. So, I don’t think the government should burden Nigerians with this increment. It is not right and the citizen cannot afford to pay the additional increment.

Abdurrahman Mohammed Umar, 39, Chemist, Maiduguri

Capital No! Electricity is the only thing we can stand firm and say we are not enjoying from the government. I know that there are private hands in the distribution but the government still holds a major stake in the regulation. I think they should stand firm and ensure that the common man gets electricity at affordable rates, not inflating the price every day. If by any means this tariff is increased, it means that the government doesn’t have the interest of the people at heart and they don’t regard people who voted them into power.

Fatima Usman, 27, Student, Kaduna

There would be no problem with the hike in tariff if there is an agreement with the electricity Distribution Companies that there would be at least stable electricity for half a day. For instance, Niger State which is nicknamed the “power state” has one of the poorest electricity supply system in the country. Kaduna is not any better, especially with high bills, but poor supply. So if we can at least get electricity even if it is expensive, I’m sure people would endure the cost.

Leluyii Hope Toesae, 27, Food Scientist, Port Harcourt

Electricity tariff shouldn’t be increased by any percentage. We already have epileptic power supply, which should be addressed. The fact remains that Nigerians pay their bills and nothing good has been done with all the huge bills collected from consumers so far. What should be done in my opinion is that the government should properly look into the issue of blackout in most parts of the country – rural and urban – and take a positive step towards ameliorating the situation. They should not increase tariff that won’t be of any positive impact to the whole nation. They should work on improving the power supply. When this is achieved, the tariff can be increased by whatever percentage they deem reasonable.