Electricity: Reps mission to free Nigerians from unfair tariff s

Over the years, Nigerians have been helplessly groaning under the burden of unfair electricity tariff s. In this article JOSHUA EGBODO writes on current efforts of the House of Representatives to lessen the burden
Unbundling burden Public angst and lamentations became more amplified with unbundling of the erstwhile Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). While the people were jubilant and hopeful that the new development would bring the needed succour, many observed that the reverse rather became the case of the expected benefits of the unbundling.
The Distribution Companies (DISCOs) birthed out of the unbundling process, and which were directly responsible for the supply of electricity to the end users, have become so audacious and insensitive to the plights of the helpless users, who monthly lament over paying what they do not use, mostly not of their choices not to use the service, but non-supply of energy by the companies. Attempt at providing some measure of respite from the unfair tariff s in the past, by the World Bank with the supply of pre-pay meters to electricity users was by popular perception, frustrated by the distribution firms, which were accused of being more comfortable with the use of the extortionist estimated billing system. Repeated shouts of ‘no metre, no payment of bills’ by the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola made no impact as far as Nigerians who were bearing the brunt were concerned. And so is the expected intervention of the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) which has resolved to guard against unwholesome and unfair treatment of consumers by the DISCOs has so far been highly disappointing. The Commission recently admitted that the existence several millions of metering gap in the country.
Succour on the way It was, therefore, a big relief to many when the news that a Bill has been introduced in the House of Representatives, with the intent to criminalize use of the exploitative estimated billing system for electricity consumers in Nigeria. Sponsored by Majority Leader of the House, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Bill, which seeks to amend the Electricity Power Reform Act, recently scaled first reading, awaiting debate on its general principles, after which, if passed for second reading, a public hearing would be held for stakeholders’ inputs. The proposed legislation, which shall among other things if passed and signed into law, prohibit the absolute discretionary practice of the DISCOs to issue whatever amounts they deemed fi t for consumers to pay, has been severally described by analysts as “a bold and compassionate move”, which must be supported by Nigerians, including the elites.
The Majority Leader has been quoted as stating that the Bill would permanently address complaints by constituents across the country who have also argued that the unfavourable technical manipulation of the reading pattern of existing pre-pay meters, has led to incommensurate calculation of purchased electricity credit, and electricity consumed by customers. A statement by the Research and Media assistant to the lawmaker, Mr. Olanrewaju Smart, explained further that the Bill became necessary following several complaints from electricity consumers across the country who felt that mere policy adjustments by the executive arm of the federal government cannot arrest the highhandedness of the electricity supply companies, urging members of the parliament to fully support the proposed law, as a permanent way out of the challenge being faced by Nigerians.
Metre within 30 days Highlights of the Bill include amendment to the extant Act by introducing new sections 68, 69, 70, 71 and 72. With the development, every electricity consumer in Nigeria shall apply to the DISCO carrying out business within his jurisdiction for a pre-pay meter, and pay the regulated fee for such a meter to be installed in his premises, while the DISCO shall within 30 days of receiving the application and payment, install the pre-pay meter.
Law invalidates estimated bill Also, the new proposal empowers electricity consumers to, when the law is operational, ignore paying estimated bills, as well as exemption from disconnection in the event that no pre-pay meter is issued by the power distribution company within 30 days of request.
The new proposed section 68 states; “If a customer is not metered within 30 days after application has been duly made, the relevant electricity distribution company is prohibited from refusing to connect the customer, or disconnect the customer in the event that the customer has been connected or estimate his bills.” The new Section 69 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act as proposed seeks to address the alleged manipulation in the reading pattern of existing pre-pay meters as well as ‘hidden’ tariff methodology.
“Upon connection, the Electricity Distribution Company serving the Consumer must inform the customer in writing, the nature of the meter installed, tariff methodology and all other services available to the customer”, it stated.
6 months imprisonment for disconnection The Bill also recommended six months imprisonment for officials of any of the DISCOs found guilty of illegal disconnection, refusal to connect a customer after application, unmetering within 30 days of a customer’s application for a pre-pay meter, and issuance of estimated Bills after law is in effect.
While Nigerians have been in high hopes for speedy passage of the amendment bill, especially as the House resumes plenary from the Easter break this morning, there have been scepticism on the possibility of it receiving the maximum support of members, as well its concurrence at the Senate. The political will of President Muhammadu Buhari to courageously defy the powers behind the DISCOs in signing it into law, if it gets through the parliament has also been of great concern Many others are however optimistic that with the new zeal of the parliament to override the President’s veto on any Bill of interest, Nigerians may truly, and close to permanently be rescued from the grip of unfair electricity tariff s in due course, as the Bill progresses into being enacted as law.

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