“We have seen changes in the review yardstick before, and this could be an opportunity to review our tariff process,” he stated.
Former President of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) and professor of Economics at Babcock University, Segun Ajibola, said there is still a disconnect between the cost of electricity and the value exchange.
“Nigerians are still struggling to keep pace with the cost of energy for business and household use. If the electricity tariff goes up as envisaged, the question remains if there will be value for the quantum of electricity so paid for.
“The truth remains that if electricity supply is constant, of the right quantity and quality, the envisaged upward review in the tariff will be gladly absorbed by the populace,” he said.
Ajibola disclosed that the positive multiplier effects of a regular power supply in a country like Nigeria would more than compensate for the anticipated increase in electricity tariff when the increase is compared with the cost of alternative sources of energy to SMES, other businesses and households.
He noted that in the long run, the costs of some of the public infrastructures to the populace are expected to in the short run rise to the peak, then flatten and decline subsequently.
“I believe the short-run pains of the higher cost of hitherto subsidized public infrastructures will turn to long-run joy for the generality of Nigerians with improved quality of management and accountability in our government-owned suppliers of those services.
“The move to open up the production and supply of those items and services such as fuel, electricity and transportation is designed, I believe, to promote economic efficiency and accountability in making the products and services available for the generality of Nigerians.
And if the current efforts at driving such public sector accountability are sustained, which I believe the new administration has the wherewithal to do, then Nigeria is on the march towards greater greatness,” Ajibola said.
https://guardian.ng/news/households-under-pressure-as-new-electricity-tariff-due-july-1/
