From Maduabuchi Nmeribeh, Kano
The management of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has said that the cost-reflective electricity tariffs initiative is the best solution to the current power challenges being faced in the country.
According to KEDCO’s Managing Director, Dr. Jamil Isyaku Gwamna, power sector is very expensive and for Nigerians to get the needed improvement in the country, the sector must be properly funded to sustain and fast-track more improvements for the sector.
“The cost-reflective electricity tariff is an attempt to ensure that every stakeholder benefit from the sector, while improving the sector through sustained investment and infrastructural development that will galvanize growth in other sectors for the overall good of the citizens and our economy.
“ It will improve data metering system in the country and by that there will be improvement in energy accountability and post paid billing which is key to power sector development in the country.
“Also, such initiative will lead to network reinforcement and reconfiguration to improve power supply because more money is more investments in network.
“For the customers whom we are seriously working towards ensuring that all of them are metered, you will only be charged what you consume and while we get back our investment from customers, we will fulfil our financial obligations to other critical stakeholders in the power chain. The move is geared towards addressing that challenge of financial deficit in the sector.
“ If we don’t push money into the sector to maintain and sustain improvement, we may have a bigger challenge than this in the nearest future. You cannot enjoy services and not pay the right tariffs; how will there be improvement?
“Once this tariff comes on board, Nigerians will have the best of services which will marvel everyone. We are capable but sometimes there is no commensurate financial balance for our investment in terms of power distribution.
“To ensure that this tariff work effectively, we will ensure that all our customers are well metered and in that regard we have given meter vendors marching order to scale up on meter deployment and installations.”
Gwamna maintained that the reforms that Nigerians yearn for would be easily achievable with the cost-reflective electricity tariffs that was being proposed for the sector.
