FRIENDS-In-Progress, a non- partisan organisation comprising of
Nigerians from all over the world has called on President Goodluck
Jonathan to look into the new electricity tariff , which it described as
over-burden on Nigerians.
In a statement made available to The Guardian, the group insisted that any increase in the energy tariff should only be contemplated when electricity generation and supply has improved substantially.
Also, it noted that it would only be meaningful when at least 50 per cent of the old meters have been replaced with prepaid meters, which enables a more accurate measurement of consumption.
The group alleged that the current system of estimating usage is clearly unreliable, resulting in consumers paying more than the electricity consumed.
They warned that the new tariff would place further pressure on the finances of millions of already struggling families and businesses and further alienate the people from a government, which they believe has failed woefully in its sworn duty to protect them and improve their living standards.
The organisation also called on the president to stop the energy saving bulb distribution project stating that providing free energy saving bulbs should not be a priority for now, especially in the light of the millions of naira that are likely to have been earmarked for the project.
According to the statement, “saving bulbs at this time will definitely be considered as a pathetic and cynical attempt to band-aid the massive ill-effects of government as government can ill afford to do this at a time when a lot of work is being done to cut costs and reduce government spending.
“The obvious solution would be for the relevant organisations within the sector to encourage the use of the bulbs by educating the populace on the benefits and advantages of energy conservation.
“It is quite unbelievable that the government is even considering this increase when the power situation has not improved, despite the billions of naira invested in the sector,” the group added.
The statement, therefore, advised the government to encourage private sector-led Independent Power Projects (IPP) and invest in improving the existing power infrastructure.
Once the electricity problem is resolved, they insist, the Nigerian economy would naturally experience a massive revival and this will reduce inflation and the dependence on foreign imports, while reducing pressure on Forex reserves.
In a statement made available to The Guardian, the group insisted that any increase in the energy tariff should only be contemplated when electricity generation and supply has improved substantially.
Also, it noted that it would only be meaningful when at least 50 per cent of the old meters have been replaced with prepaid meters, which enables a more accurate measurement of consumption.
The group alleged that the current system of estimating usage is clearly unreliable, resulting in consumers paying more than the electricity consumed.
They warned that the new tariff would place further pressure on the finances of millions of already struggling families and businesses and further alienate the people from a government, which they believe has failed woefully in its sworn duty to protect them and improve their living standards.
The organisation also called on the president to stop the energy saving bulb distribution project stating that providing free energy saving bulbs should not be a priority for now, especially in the light of the millions of naira that are likely to have been earmarked for the project.
According to the statement, “saving bulbs at this time will definitely be considered as a pathetic and cynical attempt to band-aid the massive ill-effects of government as government can ill afford to do this at a time when a lot of work is being done to cut costs and reduce government spending.
“The obvious solution would be for the relevant organisations within the sector to encourage the use of the bulbs by educating the populace on the benefits and advantages of energy conservation.
“It is quite unbelievable that the government is even considering this increase when the power situation has not improved, despite the billions of naira invested in the sector,” the group added.
The statement, therefore, advised the government to encourage private sector-led Independent Power Projects (IPP) and invest in improving the existing power infrastructure.
Once the electricity problem is resolved, they insist, the Nigerian economy would naturally experience a massive revival and this will reduce inflation and the dependence on foreign imports, while reducing pressure on Forex reserves.
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