A few weeks after the removal of the subsidy, it has been reportedly revealed that twenty percent of Band A customers are without a prepaid meter.
It was gathered consumers pay on estimated billing, a practice largely discredited by both the consumers and the NERC, as it is subject to manipulation and shortchanging of the consumers.
Speaking on the challenge, the Vice Chairman, of NERC, Dr Musiliu Oseni, has directed the Electricity Distribution Companies, DisCos, to prioritize the metering of the Band A customers.
Vanguard also learnt from industry sources that many DisCos would be unable to deploy the meters immediately as the prepaid meters are not readily available.
“The recent hike in electricity tariff has made nonsense of the demand we presented to the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission, which is the secretariat of the minimum wage committee.
“Both centres had met last month to harmonise our different demands as seen during the public hearing and made a joint demand. But with the 300 percent increase in the electricity tariff, our demand is no longer realistic. Therefore, we plan to adjust our demand to accommodate the new tariff hike.
“As you are aware, our demand was based on the socioeconomic indices on the ground at the time we made the demand. But things have changed as typified by the 300 percent hike in the electricity tariff by the government. So, we have to adjust our demand by 300 percent in line with the electricity tariff hike.”
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