Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) yesterday came under huge criticism by the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for the recent increase in energy cost which took effect from June 2014.
Speaking at the stakeholders meeting held in Abuja, the NLC President Comrade Abdulwaheed Umar said electricity tariff was increased by the regulatory body without due consultation with the NLC.
He said; “The rate of tariff increase is quite worrisome, and there is no proportionate increase in electricity supply. The amount of consumption should determine the rate paid by consumers, what Nigerian consumers expect is an improvement in power supply, but what they have gotten in return is a hike on electricity tariff.”
Umar said Nigerians are tired of excuses from the regulatory body, which he said has being obtainable since the 70’s, he added that the regulatory body must match accessibility with affordability.
Umar said, NERC as a regulator, and as a government establishment is expected to consider the consumers first before the Owner of Gencos and Discos for any additional tariff.
As a private owner you are not expected to make profit for now,but must have the financial mussel, managerial ability to satisfy the consumers.
He also urged NERC to properly investigate the activities of the Distribution Companies (Discos) which according to him, bill customers based on estimation and not on adequate metering system made available by the regulatory body.
“It is one thing to announce tariff rate without the capacity to enforce it, the social service component of electricity must not be laid down for profit maximization because the consumers are always at the receiving end,” he added.
Speaking also NERC Chairman, Mr. Sam Amadi said the stakeholders meeting was organised to address some pertinent issues which affects electricity consumers.
On the activities of the Discos and Generation Companies (Gencos), Amadi said in the privatized market all companies are properly regulated, he also called for better partnership with civil society organizations and labour union.
It would be recalled that NERC had earlier in May 2014 announced that the fixed charge of electricity from June 2014 remains constant while the energy cost will be slightly increased.