NERC defends new electricity tariff structure

[TGD]

 Oyo House summons officials over transformer distribution

FOLLOWING public outcry against the new prices of electricity recently announced by it, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) yesterday claimed that the price regime was not new, as it is only the implementation of rates approved in the year 2008.

In a related development, members of the Oyo State House of Assembly yesterday summoned Directors of Personnel Management (DPM) in the 33 local councils of the state to explain how some transformers were hurriedly distributed in the twilight of the Adebayo Alao-Akala's administration.

A member of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN, Ibadan North 2), Olusegun Olaleye, moved the motion directing the council officials to furnish the House with the distribution pattern adopted for the 15 transformers on ground before the exit of the former governor.

Members in their contributions said the ruling ACN must take up the challenge of delivering democracy dividend to the citizenry, no matter whose ox is gored.

In his comments, Olaniyan David (Ibadan North 1) stressed that the people's expectations were high and that the ACN cannot afford to disappoint their teeming supporters.

Despite being allocated to the various councils for use, David said the transformers were yet to be installed.

On his part, Olagunju Kolade of Accord Party (AP) lamented that most communities were yet to get their transformers despite reported claims that the said transformers have been appropriately allocated.

The Speaker, Monsurat Sunmonu, who directed the DPMs to report in the Assembly on Tuesday, July 5, said they were expected to brief the House on the mode of installation for the said transformers.

In a statement by NERC Chairman, Sam Amadi, the Commission said it needed to make clarification on the adjusted price with "a sense of responsibility."

Amadi wrote: "Let it be clear to all consumers that NERC has not reviewed the existing tariff regime of Multi Year Tariff Order (MYTO). The slight adjustment of the average cost of electricity from N8.50 to N10 from July 1, 2011 is part of MYTO that came into effect in 2008."



The Guardian