Reps move to curb excessive electricity charges

The Ad-Hoc Committee to curb Excessive Electricity Charges being
levied on consumers by distribution companies (Discos) Thursday
said it would meet with community development associations (CDAs)
in different geo-political zones in the course of its
assignment.

Chairman of committee, Hon. Ajibola Famurewa (APC Osun) who made
the declaration at the inaugural meeting of the committee, noted
that majority of Nigerians are suffering under the arbitrary
charges for electricity from the distribution companies.

The committee was given the mandate by the House to determine
the differences between the prepaid meters installed by PHCN and
the MOJEC prepaid meters by DISCOs as well as determine the costing
algorithm used by NERC in arriving at the consumers price.

The committee is to ascertain the average cost of electricity in
West African sub region vis-a-vis Nigeria.

Its mandate also include finding out why DISCOs have not
complied with the deadline of March 1, 2017 in phasing out
estimated billing system.

According to the Chairman of the committee, relevant
organizations and agencies to the investigation include Federal
Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, the Central Bank of Nigeria,
CBN, the Consumer Protection Council, Nigerian Electricity
Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading
Company (NIBET), Transmission Company of Nigeria.

Others are: Electricity Distribution Companies of Nigeria
(DISCOs), Nigeria Labour Congress, Association of Nigerians
Electricity Consumers amongst others.

Famurewa said there would be zonal interactive sessions with
electricity consumers in a bid to understand the scope of the
problem.

According to him, the committee will try to meet the six (6)
weeks given as deadline by the House.

This, he said, is to allow the House take a timely decision on
the issue to ease the suffering of the people.

The Ad-Hoc Committee to curb Excessive Electricity Charges being
levied on consumers by distribution companies (Discos) Thursday
said it would meet with community development associations (CDAs)
in different geo-political zones in the course of its
assignment.

Chairman of committee, Hon. Ajibola Famurewa (APC Osun) who made
the declaration at the inaugural meeting of the committee, noted
that majority of Nigerians are suffering under the arbitrary
charges for electricity from the distribution companies.

The committee was given the mandate by the House to determine
the differences between the prepaid meters installed by PHCN and
the MOJEC prepaid meters by DISCOs as well as determine the costing
algorithm used by NERC in arriving at the consumers price.

The committee is to ascertain the average cost of electricity in
West African sub region vis-a-vis Nigeria.

Its mandate also include finding out why DISCOs have not
complied with the deadline of March 1, 2017 in phasing out
estimated billing system.

According to the Chairman of the committee, relevant
organizations and agencies to the investigation include Federal
Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, the Central Bank of Nigeria,
CBN, the Consumer Protection Council, Nigerian Electricity
Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading
Company (NIBET), Transmission Company of Nigeria.

Others are: Electricity Distribution Companies of Nigeria
(DISCOs), Nigeria Labour Congress, Association of Nigerians
Electricity Consumers amongst others.

Famurewa said there would be zonal interactive sessions with
electricity consumers in a bid to understand the scope of the
problem.

According to him, the committee will try to meet the six (6)
weeks given as deadline by the House.

This, he said, is to allow the House take a timely decision on
the issue to ease the suffering of the people.