In other climes, business men have to get infrastructures in place for their business, by borrowing money from the bank to finance such, and by possibly going into partnership with others. Then they make supply based on demand, and charge (tariff or price) accordingly.
But in Nigeria, customers have to pay for the infrastructures, because many of the leaders hardly conduct thorough research. Many of them are too lazy in thinking.
“The new tariffs approved for electricity consumers across the country will become effective on Monday and will enable the power distribution, generation and transmission companies to acquire needed infrastructure, the acting Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, Dr. Anthony Akah, has said.”
My question is: Should Nigerians first pay hugely for the non-available or epileptic power supply, to enable power distribution, generation and transmission companies to acquire needed infrastructure?
The fact that people across the country have to pay the same tariff is a fraud. I pay $5 to $7 per month here in North Dakota, my friend in Texas pay up to $15 per month – all based on usage. Even though, there are higher demand in Texas than North Dakota, I still pay less per kwh, due to difference in the mode of power generation and distribution.
Why do our leaders think this way?
Anyway, I trust Nigerians, they won’t pay this stupid tariff. They would rather stick with their petrol/diesel-generators, than to pay hugely for the epileptic power supply.
Now, I remember my FUTA mate – Hon. Faparusi Bamidele (about three years ago) moved a motion on the floor of the House of Representatives, to the effect that the electricity tarrif should NOT be raised until all customers have digital-pay-as-go-meters. His motion was passed, but unfortunately, just like many of such motions, it has no effect!
This is why a not-better-mortal will disrespectfully call our leaders words like ‘ineffectual buffoon”, just because things that are easily done somewhere else, are always difficult on our soil.
This Opinion is written by Olarinre Salako, a Research Geophysicist at Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) based in Glendive, United States
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