‘DisCos harvesting from farm they refused to maintain’ — reactions trail new tariff hike

Electricity consumers across the country have started reacting to the implementation of the new electricity tariff by distribution companies (DisCos).

On Tuesday, the DisCos announced that they have begun executing the new service-based reflective tariff (SRT) structure nationwide.

TheCable had reported that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the implementation of the proposed cost-reflective energy tariff for the Nigerian electricity supply industry (NESI), and residential areas classified as “poor” would not be affected.

In the new tariff regime, customers on estimated billing will also not be affected as the president has ordered mass metering of consumers across the country.

However, some customers on social media have described the tariff hike as unfair, saying the DisCos are not offering services commensurate with what they are charging.

Adetayo Adegbemle, a Twitter user, blamed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for lacking the framework to monitor and evaluate its policies.

“DisCos that will not buy or fix transformers; DisCos that will not install poles; DisCos that lacks capacity. Then, let’s talk about the hypocrisy of NERC. What framework have they evolved after all these years to Monitor and Evaluate their own policies?” he queried.

Discos that will not buy or fix Transformers

Discos that will not install Poles

Discos that lacks capacity…@EngrSMamman @PowerMinNigeria @femigbaja @DrAhmadLawan

— Adetayo Adegbemle (@gbemle) September 1, 2020

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Ohen Kay said his community spent about N1.45 million on fixing vandalised transformers without help from the DisCo.

“We spent N1.45m to fix vandalised HT line to my community and AEDC didn’t contribute one kobo but they are now harvesting from the farm they refused to maintain. The three communities were in darkness for 4months & 12 days,” Kay wrote.

We spent N1.45m to fix vandalised HT line to my community and @aedcelectricity didn't contribute one kobo but they are now "harvesting from the farm they refused to maintain".
The three communities were in darkness for 4months & 12 days.

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— Diokpa IjenEwere (@ohenkay) September 1, 2020

“They have increased electricity tariff after increasing the pump price of PMS,” Abu Agada said.

Another user simply identified as Chimaobi wrote: “It’s interesting to see the Electricity Distribution Companies in Nigeria excited about the tariff increase effective today based on number of hours of supply. Yet, the quality of customer service is so poor.”

Its interesting to see the Electricity Distribution Companies in Nigeria excited about the tariff increase effective today based on number of hours of supply.

Yet, the quality of customer service is so poor @IkejaElectric @ieServe @aedcelectricity @NERCNG

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— Chimaobi (@NaijaEnergyMan) September 1, 2020