LAGOS, AUGUST 4, 2016 – The Association of Nigeria Electricity Distributors (ANED) on Thursday advised electricity consumers not to listen to agitators against reforms in the power sector.This is contained in a statement signed by Mr Sunday Oduntan, the Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, ANED, and made available in Lagos.
According to the statement, some groups of faceless people are inciting Nigerians against the power distribution companies and the power sector as a whole.
The statement said these agitators based their arguments on the court’s judgment in respect of tariff increase which the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) were currently being challenged at appeal court.
Oduntan said the implementation of Mult-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) 2015 was based on extensive consultations by the DISCOs as required by Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The executive director said the consultations lasted from September 2014 to December 2015.
“No one or entity is more interested in comprehensive metering than the DISCOs.
“However, metering comes at a cost, non-payment of electricity bill obligations and a tariff that does not allow for full cost recovery will always prevent this much desired outcome.
“The DISCOs and NERC believe in the rule of law and will abide by the ruling of the Federal High Court.
“The rule of law also provides a mechanism for redress which the DISCOs and the regulator have sought an appeal and a stay of execution of judgment.
“Until a hearing of the appeal that has been filed by the DISCOs and NERC is heard, any determination as to whether a reversal is highly unlikely, speculative and irresponsible.
“Non-payment of the approved tariffs means that the expected improvements that our customers seek comprehensive metering, reduced power interruption, improved customer service, will continue to be a fantasy.
“It is a choice between improved electricity supply and continued darkness,’’ he said.
Oduntan said that the government and the DISCOs followed all the procedures and processes necessary for the legal implementation of MYTO 2015, while committed to the principles and requirements of EPSRA 2005.
He advised electricity consumers not to allow ill-informed, self-interested and faceless individuals or entities to mislead them and derail the fundamentally required reform of the power sector.
Oduntan urged those behind this smear campaign aimed at inciting Nigerians against the sector to desist from this act of sabotage against the national interest.
“We should all be focused on working with the government of the day to build a stronger power sector with incremental power supply that will lead to a stable electricity supply in Nigeria,” he said.
