By Ehi Ekhator
For Nigerians who hear the news of the “no monthly fix charged” if the electricity distribution companies interrupt light for 15 days whether continuously or cumulatively are very excited waiting for the kick off.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, (NERC) Dr. Sam Amadi, made this declaration in Abuja on Wednesday.
The new rule is to ensure stability in the power sector, and it is believed that Nigerians will not pay the monthly fixed charge to their power supplier since they did not consume power for 15 days
Amadi stressed that non payment of electricity bill or other actions of the consumers are not included in the new rule.
He said “While the commission has determined that the fixed charge remains an essential component of the bill, it is, however, the continued retention of the fixed charge component in the tariff and payment of fixed charge in the light of consumer complaints, particularly with regards to continued payment of fixed charge, even when the energy and is not delivered to the consumer.
“Upon due considerations of these complaints by the consumers, and considering the role of NERC in Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI), the commission, as provided under Section 32(d) and Section 32(f) of the EPSR Act 2005, it is hereby ordered that effective May 1, 2014, where any customer of a distribution licensee has not received electricity supply for a period of 15 days in a month, such a customer shall not be required to pay fixed charge, provided the disruption is due to non payment of electricity bill or other actions of the consumer like tampering with electricity infrastructure, vandalism, or it is totally unrelated to the fault of the distribution company,” Amadi said.
Responding to the comments from some consumers who wondered if the fixed monthly charge is fair or legal, Amadi said “The fixed charge is a universal best practice, and is not peculiar to Nigeria. It is to be borne by electricity customers at all times, once they are connected to supply. It is not tied to consumption.
“Fixed or permanent investments need to be made and need to be paid for and maintained. Electricity customers need to have the required infrastructure that will enable them enjoy electricity either on demand, and when it is available,” he added.
Nigerians to pay zero fixed charge on 15 days without power starts May 1
No comments:
Post a Comment
Thank you for dropping your response, there are other interesting news on the page too