Some electricity consumers in Lagos on Monday kicked against the plan to increase electricity tariff as announced by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Raji Fashola (SAN).

They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) had to fulfil some obligations before considering any increment.

NAN recalls that the minister, at a news conference in Abuja on December 8, said that electricity tariff would slightly go up

He, however, said that the government would meet with the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to ensure that consumers and investors are not cheated.

Reacting to the planned increase, Mr Abdul-Rasak Osho, Chairman, Iponri Estate Residents Association, told NAN that consumers had kicked against it during the consultative forum organised by DISCOs in Lagos.

He said that the consumers had condemned the plan because power supply was not regular.

The chairman said that consumers were paying for electricity supply that was not available and so there was no need for the planned increment.

“The management of Eko Electricity Distribution Plc (EKEDP) met with us more than three times on the issue and we objected to the increment because we are not enjoying the power supply.

“They promised to improve on the supply and we said when the power improved, we would come back and talk again.

“It is strange to now hear the minister saying the tariff will increase.

“Honestly, there is nothing to increase because in the last three days, we have not had power supply and at the end of the month, they will bring outrageous bills.”

Mr Yusuf Raji, Chairman, Alaba-Oro, Mosafejo Landlords Association, said that DISCOs should ensure that all houses in the community were metered before any tariff increment.

Raji said that most of the meters in the community were obsolete and faulty and needed to be replaced with pre-paid meters.

The chairman said that because of the problem, most of the consumers in the area were given estimated bills of between N25,000 and N40,000 in November

“We have told them that if there is going to be meaningful increment in tariff, our community should be metered so that we will be able to monitor our energy consumption.”

Mr Ade-Owas Owabumuwa, President, Amuwo-Odofin Landlords Association, New Town, said that consumers in Amuwo-Odofin were against any attempt to increase tariff without meaningful improvement in power supply.

“We told Ikeja Electric when they came to dialogue with us that tariff increment should not be their priority now.

“They should make supply regular and change our bad transformers within our community; if all these are done, then they can go ahead with the increment.”

Owabumuwa urged the minister to ensure that all houses in the country were metered before introducing any increment in tariff. (NAN)

•Photo shows Fashola.