The Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) has urged the Federal Government to strategically address the challenges in the power sector.
The Director-General, Dr Timothy Olawale, made the appeal in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.
Olawale said that resolving the issues in the power sector would be a major step toward reviving the economy and returning it to the path of steady growth.
“While NECA commends government for the renewed vigour in solving the electricity crisis, we urge that it should continue to live up to its obligations as stipulated in the terms of the privatisation.
“We also urge the distribution companies to expedite action in distributing pre-paid metres to all consumers, ” he said.
The NECA boss said that while it was desirable that cost reflective tariff was instituted, it was imperative that the infrastructural challenge in the sector was addressed.
He said that a major challenge for organised businesses and consumers generally was the incidence of estimated billing, which had pitted the Distribution Companies (DisCos) against consumers.
“Electricity consumers, generally, will not challenge the payment of a cost reflective tariff, if electricity is provided.
“It is paramount that pre-paid meters are installed for all consumers to increase the confidence of Nigerians, rather than the current controversial estimated billing, ” he said.
Olawale called for a staggered approach to cost and service reflective tariffs.
According to him, it will allow DisCos enter into agreements with customer clusters for cost reflective tariffs, pegged at an improved quality of service level.
“These customer clusters will act as test cases for the full implementation of cost reflective tariff.
“Adequate consideration should also be given to the end-users and players in the electricity supply chain with a view to adequately balance the various interests, ” he said.
Fed Govt approves N10b palliative for transport operators
The Federal Government has approved N10 billion as a palliative for transport workers and operators.
Minister of State for Transportation Senate Gbemisola Saraki said the fund would help cushion the sufferings encountered by road transport workers and operators as a result of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She also noted that the fund is currently domiciled with the Federal Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment, adding that her ministry is working on the modalities for its disbursement.
The minister spoke when the President of Public Transport Owners of Nigeria Association (PTONA), Isaac Uhunwagho, an engineer and the association’s National Executive Committee and Trustees visited him in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the ministry’s Director of Press, Eric Ojiekwe, Saraki stated that 90 per cent of Nigerians travel by road, adding that the Federal Government would soon initiate a master plan that would reform the sector.
On the challenges operators face from state governments and other stakeholders, she assured that she would discuss the issues through the National Transport Commissioners’ Forum.
The minister also revealed that she is in talks with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing on the concessioning of some routes with the aim of increasing the government’s revenue.
She urged the delegation to avoid duplicity and formalise their structures in an organised manner for better engagements with the ministry and other relevant agencies.
Uhunwagho had earlier pleaded for COVID-19 financial palliatives for the association’s members to prevent their businesses from folding up.
He explained that members were the worst hit during the lockdown introduced by the Federal Government.
