...Expect Disruptions in Power Supply from Bad
Weather, Fashola Tells Nigerians
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr.
Babatunde Fashola, on Monday disclosed that the executive arm of government
would in collaboration with the federal legislatures push to end the practice
of estimated billing of consumers by the 11 electricity distribution companies
(Discos) in Nigeria.
Speaking at the June 2018 monthly meeting of operators
in the power sector held in Kaduna, Fashola described estimated billing
practice of consumers by Discos as being subjective, discretionary and often
prone to abuse.
He said the executive and legislative arms of
government had taken up the issue of estimated billing and respectively
initiated solutions to end it, adding that both would ensure it happened.
According to him, the executive had in reaction to
the issue, approved the Meter Assets Providers Regulations (MAP) initiated by
the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), while the legislature
had on its part, sought to end and criminalise estimated bills through a new
legislation.
“Meter supply has become a big issue of the moment
that consumers want us to resolve. As a government, we hear them loudly and
clearly, and as service providers, we hope that you can hear them too,” said
Fashola.
He further stated: “As power supply continues to
increase in generation, transmission and distribution, the demand for meters
will increase because more power supply and consumption will likely result in
increased bills.
“Estimated billings in this circumstance will become
a major cause of distrust and conflict between consumers and Discos, and meters
are the easiest way to build the bridge of trust.”
Meanwhile, Fashola has told Nigerians to expect some levels
of disruption in electricity supplies to their homes and offices as it continues
to rain across the country.
The minister, in his remarks at the June 2018 meeting of
operators in Nigeria’s power sector in Kaduna, explained that the rainy season
presented a peculiar challenge to operators in the power sector.
He said parts of the challenges included frequent
thunderstorms, lightening and windstorms, which could lead to vegetation or
trees falling on power lines and causing power cuts to homes and offices.
The minister however said he would expect operators, mostly
the 11 electricity distribution companies (Discos) to step up to the challenges
and improve on their service and maintenance of their distribution networks to
minimise the expected impacts on consumers.
“In the last few months, I have used the opportunity of this
meeting to focus attention of operators, Gencos, Transmission Company and
Discos, which are the points of public interface, on the need to pay more
attention to service delivery, repairs, and maintenance of equipment.
...Expect Disruptions in Power Supply from Bad
Weather, Fashola Tells Nigerians
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr.
Babatunde Fashola, on Monday disclosed that the executive arm of government
would in collaboration with the federal legislatures push to end the practice
of estimated billing of consumers by the 11 electricity distribution companies
(Discos) in Nigeria.
Speaking at the June 2018 monthly meeting of operators
in the power sector held in Kaduna, Fashola described estimated billing
practice of consumers by Discos as being subjective, discretionary and often
prone to abuse.
He said the executive and legislative arms of
government had taken up the issue of estimated billing and respectively
initiated solutions to end it, adding that both would ensure it happened.
According to him, the executive had in reaction to
the issue, approved the Meter Assets Providers Regulations (MAP) initiated by
the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), while the legislature
had on its part, sought to end and criminalise estimated bills through a new
legislation.
“Meter supply has become a big issue of the moment
that consumers want us to resolve. As a government, we hear them loudly and
clearly, and as service providers, we hope that you can hear them too,” said
Fashola.
He further stated: “As power supply continues to
increase in generation, transmission and distribution, the demand for meters
will increase because more power supply and consumption will likely result in
increased bills.
“Estimated billings in this circumstance will become
a major cause of distrust and conflict between consumers and Discos, and meters
are the easiest way to build the bridge of trust.”
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