17 September 2013, Abuja – Against complaint by Nigerians on high electricity tariffs being paid despite low supply of power across the country, the Federal Government, yesterday, said even if the tariffs were to be increased further, Nigeria’s electricity tariff still ranks lowest among African countries.
The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, who made the statement in an interview on a national radio monitored by Daily Newswatch in Abuja, said “the minor adjustment on electricity tariffs are a necessity and not punitive in any way.”
“Well, it is unfortunate that sometimes, you wonder where consumers are getting information like that. I think it is very critical to note that till this date and even if a tariff were to be increased further, nearly doubled, Nigeria still has the lowest electricity tariff in all of Africa,” he said.
Nebo, who disagreed that electricity supply in the country is deteriorating, said there has been improvement in the supply.
His words: “As it is being perceived by most Nigerians, there has been an improvement in power delivery, in electricity supply. We are moving on in that direction but there needs to be adjustment of tariff from time to time, to ensure that everything is on course and to ensure that those companies that are generating this electricity continue to recoup their investments, which is also important for Nigeria.”
He assured that electricity tariff, like telephone system, would on the long run, become affordable to every household in the country.
– Daily Newswatch