By Eromosele Ebhomele
Beginning from 2011, Nigerians might be asked to pay more for electricity consumption.
This was made known by the Deputy General Manager of the Nigerian Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC), Dr. Tony Aka, at this month’s Lagos Consumer Forum (LCF) held in Lagos State.
According to Dr. Aka, Nigerians have consistently enjoyed lesser bills because the Federal Government had spent N177 billion to subsidise the actual amount incurred by the citizens for the consumption of electricity.
“The electricity bill that you incur today is far greater than the production cost. The Federal government spent about N177 billion on subsidy,” he said.
Dr. Aka further explained that the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) was broken into 11 distribution companies.
“The overall aim of the government is to see that somewhere along the line, the companies would be privatised,” he said.
He, however, stated that the power regulatory body has much work to do, describing PHCN as sick and desiring a quick cure.
“It is like a baby having pneumonia, tuberculosis, malaria together and you are injecting every necessary solution to cure the ailments.”
He agreed that corruption was among the problems bedevilling the electricity generating companies, as he claimed that some people connived with the officials of PHCN to have their bills reduced, while other consumers are left to bear the consequences.
He also claimed that the commission was aware of fraudulent practices by officials of the companies to effect repairs or install transformers in communities without seeking gratification.
Aka claimed that such services were to be offered free of charge because “the multi-year tariff provides PHCN with money to do that. If they coerce you, do report to us,” he advised.
He said that the commission was setting up a forum in Lagos and Port Harcourt in March this year to act like an appeal court on behalf of the consumers.
When asked by the president of LCF, Sola Salako, why the 6,000 megawatts of electricity promised by the Federal Government could not be met, Dr. Aka claimed that it would still take more time since it costs about N1 billion to invest in each 1,000 megawatts.
Teen
28 January 2010 19:37Part of the seven point agenda .!? Abeg , make talk better thing o jare .
segun oduye
28 January 2010 19:51Not just privatization,but sincerity of purpose..
smart
29 January 2010 01:37he is talking rubbish because here in America, we have light 24 hours and we pay $20 every month and uses washing and drying machines and 24 hours heater because of cold. how much is $20 to naira equivalent that phcn is not content with current billing rate. he should better face the reality and find solution to the epileptic power supply other than raising the tariff for consumers.
Bayo
29 January 2010 14:52………But I need to see first what I am going to pay for!
Truth
29 January 2010 15:57This guy should be sentenced to death by the Nigerians
Gbenga Akinsanya
29 January 2010 17:51When are we going to have an uninterupted power supply? This is the question now. Even now the tariff is unreasonable, because we are made to pay for power you people never supplied ,as your bills are consistently on estimation. wheather we have light or not we are been ripped off by PHCN.
The product you never made available,you are talking about paying more. Let everybody concern ,bend down and work,we are tired of your rhetorics. Mr story teller
Aye -a-la-ye
29 January 2010 20:17The question is not about paying more, it should be about getting services.
Dele Fab . UK
29 January 2010 20:39How can u pay more for what does not exist …..
johnson
30 January 2010 13:47Bloody BASTARDS.Epileptic power supply yet you are demanding for more when little or nothing is been given back to the tax payers.Gos shall judge you and the generations that shall proceed as seeds from your bowels.All of you in charge of crippled power supply to this nation Nigeria.
eby
30 January 2010 21:57DR TONY AKA YOU ARE INCOHERENT IN EXPANTIATING WHY NIGERIANS MUST PAY HIGHER BILLS NOW ,WHILE NO SERVICES HAVE BEEN GIVEN , AND IF EVER IT HAD BEEN RENDERED WERE INSUFFICIENT FOR THEIR DAILY USES , DUE TO OUTAGES, THAT HAD TAGGED THE PHCN, ” NEVER EXPECT POWER ALWAYS” .SECONDLY ,IF THE FEDERAL GOVT. HAD SPENT N177 BILLIONS SINCE OUR INDEPENDENCE, AS YOU WERE ECONOMICAL IN TELLING THE EXACT PERIOD IN QUESTION, HOW DO YOU MEAN THEN THAT 1000 MEGAWATTS COST N I BILLION OR MORE AND IF AM NOT MISTAKING, THE 6000 EXPECTED AND PROMISED MEGAWATTS WILL BE IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD OF 6BILLIONS OR MORE. AND UPON THIS EXPENDITURE ON MERE SUBSIDY, THE OUTAGE IS STILL A GOING CONCERN . DR AKA ,FRANKLY SPEAKING, THE ENTIRE SYSTEM . PHCN AND YOURS AS WELL ARE SICK AND NEED A COMPLETE OVERHAULLING. WE ARE SICK OF BEING FED WITH DWINDLING DIETS OF LIES THAT ARE RUNNING OUT OF STOCK.
Segun E
31 January 2010 04:50There is no truth in what you criminals are doing. infact it should cost less.today nigerians are paying for eletricity without light.
all in the dubious name of billing method. they are all politicians doing what they like.many of them in civil service
suppose to go down with the politicians.because they are playing politic with our life.
tolu ochons
1 February 2010 10:50Very Funny Indeed!
1. NEPA : Never Expect Power Always
2. NEP PLC: Never Expect Power, Please Hold Candle
3. PHCN: Problem Has Changed Name!!!
What Next o??!!!
olaoluwakitan Pa Ota Naija run
1 February 2010 15:40where is d power? Heat rashes all over our kids. No fuel, no light. God will trow people tormenting Nigerians into total darkness. More money for people in govt and civil service to steal? God will punish all of u. The suffering of the people of Nigeria is enough. Change now or u perish. In fact, you have done enough already to perish.
Sam
1 February 2010 16:15God go punish you and your mother. Pay more for what? Where is the electricity.
OG OneNiner
2 February 2010 04:57Ridiculous!!! 1 billion Naira for every 1,000 mega watts??? And you spend 177 billion on subsidy? Thats 177,000 mega watts! All we need is a primary 3 pupil to fix our power problem. Get a life you people.
odinaka
2 February 2010 17:53S-T-O-R-R-R-R-R-Y. give us d light 1st. abajeeeeeee. God will punish u.keep stealing, while others suffer.
klinsmann oluwashola
3 February 2010 09:14well this sound very funny,for only GOD knows when the country has been in pepertual darkness,so ‘kini big deal’say there would be an increase in the cost of distribution,when we have been paying for nothing all this while,what a country we are in,yet we are been told that government is subsidizing us to the tune of #177 billion,even the energy sector where there we are told government subsidize too,how much are we paying?where is the subsidy going to?questions i know sooner or later an examiner will come to ask of the stewards of the country managers,not the spiritual stuff,but hte physical stuff,sooner than expected.
blacky
3 February 2010 14:44the man just wan talk make people know say he dey. what services have we (nigerians) got for the one we don already pay. make the man look for better office where him go perform if he no no the next thing to do jare.
TOKSLEIT
4 February 2010 01:38dis f**king bastard shld b stonned to death.pple like dis idiot (AKA) make life hard, frustrating 4 innocent nigerians.as if he has never enjoyed good power supply in places like the uk and the usa.
Femi
4 February 2010 15:56DEM FOR GOVERNMENT DON SEE SAY NAIJA MAN GET BIG MOUTH BUT NO ACTION SO NA TALK TALK BUT NO ACTION.
OMOIBADAN
5 February 2010 02:41no problem…we pay for light received…
Raji Mutair
5 February 2010 18:14Have we been getting adequate value for the current payment?
Chike Okafor
8 February 2010 14:21If it costs about N1 billion to invest in each 1,000 megawatts,Then N177 billion spent on subsidy alone would have fetched us 177 000 megawatts which would have been enough to position Nigeria among one of the best economies by the year 202020.So what is the rational behind the subsidy.People Dr. Tony Aka are one of the problems of Nigeria.
Alabi
8 February 2010 16:13Let it be clear to whoever have hears that the present rulers in our land have nothing to offer than to siphone Billions of Naira into their pocket under the pretence of privitasation. What happened to power probe ?. What happened to Billions of Naira devoted to power project under the last regime.God help Nigeria.
fatexman
8 February 2010 16:30Only in a headless country called Nigeria that all this nonsense can happen. The only option is a drastic revolutionary change in this country.
chike
9 February 2010 13:18The idiot should just come out and tell us that PHCN has AIDS and he needs money for research to determine its cure. Wont it be better to pay for sunlight which we see and use than the useless PHCN which remains invisible ? Ye ye dey smell…
nigeria
9 February 2010 15:46More money for your failure to generate ordinary 6000mw abi?. No shame at all
McPraise Steve
10 February 2010 09:10He must be a fool. I dont know why Nigeria is allowing these sets of people in power. anyway I dont blaim him, that is what he was sent to do.
Yusuf nura
13 February 2010 (5 weeks ago) 01:36Do you want more money to steal ?
omoba
15 February 2010 (4 weeks ago) 16:50I HAVE ONE PRAYER FOR MR. AKA, GOD WILL PURNISH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. MAD MAN SAYING STUPID THING. IF YOU EVER INCREASE THE POWER RATE, YOUR GENERATION UNBORN WILL FOREVER KNOW DARKNESS.
kaysi jojo
18 February 2010 (4 weeks ago) 12:04Tell AKA to say the truth,it not payment that is Nigerians problems,let PHCN bring Meter with Card operating system so if we dont use the light we dont buy the card and if they like then they can increase the bill and let see who will loss.billing us without light is a great cheat on the whole nation and all those that are involved will be punished by God here on earth and there family too.
dotman sho
18 February 2010 (4 weeks ago) 15:50THIS MAN IS A STUPID MAN AND A FOOL..HE SAID WE ARE ENJOYING A LESSER WHILE I PAY N7000 PER MONTH AND HE SAID HIS A LESSER BILL..GOD PUNISH UR MOUTH FOR THAT THING WEY U TALK
Kunle
19 February 2010 (4 weeks ago) 20:46This is an insult. If PHCN is performing, there will be fuel in abundance in Nigeria as the fuel consumption will be reduced by not less than 50% (domestic & industrial generators - petrol/diesel). So-called govt suvsidy on fuel will be reduced accordingly. This Deputy General Mgr is a Deputy Fool. It’s really annoying. Really Problem Has Changed Name (PHCN)!
Emeka
20 February 2010 (4 weeks ago) 16:48Dr Tony or whatsoever you called yourself. You pipo has decide to take Nigerians for a ride keeping dem in darkness everyday. all your entire life shall be in darkness. Only what Nigerians is asking is just light. Take all the money hours u enquire cares and all but just them light is ok for us.
God will punish you all. Is only a fool gather everything for himself.
Emeka
20 February 2010 (4 weeks ago) 16:51i am very angry the way this county is going. nobdoy care on how things work or move in this lovely country and you claim you are servicin the nation. let wait and see were you all will take all the wealth to. Mr. and mss Government officials do not forget to carry the wealth inside your grave to last you forever rubbish.
mega-rich
21 February 2010 (3 weeks ago) 08:09N177 billion on subsidy; HAHAHA!! This is simply PHN’ share of the yealy national cake. Enough of this deception! where is the light even? Thank God for generator importers and the giant Mikano coy for utilizing there opportunity well.
Chris Ene
23 February 2010 (3 weeks ago) 03:33Mr Tony Aka,ought to be ashamed of himself,how can he talk about high bill,when there is practically no power generation,instead of confronting the problems that are hindering the progress of the generation,i can’t believe he could really open his blabber mouth without thinking.Nigerian’s are tired of your likes,you blood sucking demon.
Chris Ene
23 February 2010 (3 weeks ago) 03:46Mr Tony Aka,ought to bury his head in shame,P.H.C.N is a hopeless situation,how can Tony Aka be talking about high bills when there is practically no power,these criminals parading themselves as PHCN officials need to be reprimanded.I am hereby using this medium to appeal to the EFCC to investigate Tony A ka and his cohorts,where do we draw the line?Enough of this nonsence.
kammy
23 February 2010 (3 weeks ago) 14:25IS GOOD THAT ALL OF US ARE SAYING ONE THING OR THE OTHER, IF WE TALK FROM TODAY TILL JESUS COMES, THIS UNGODLY PEOPLE WILL NEVER LISTEN TO NOBODY. THE BEST FOR ALL NIGERIANS IS GO OUT AND PROTEST, IF NOT FOR ANYTHING BUT FOR POWER SUPPLY ALONE.HOW CAN WE BE PAYING FOR THE POWER THAT WE DONT USE AND U WANT US TO PAY MORE . LAGBARA OLORUN GBOGBO YIN TEN FI IYA JE MEKUNUN OLORUN MAPA GBOGBO OMO YIN RUN ATI AROMODOMO YIN ,ALL OF U SHALL PERISH IN HELL FIRE.