Subsidising low-income power consumers inappropriate – FG
The Federal Government has said it is not right to continue subsidising electricity consumption in Nigeria.
According to the government, the power sector has been characterised by series of challenges that require huge financial investments to address squarely.
The Minister of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, explained that electricity tariff regime had been bedeviled by a lot of problems, stressing that it was unnecessary to subsidise many power consumers in Nigeria.
Nebo disclosed this during an interactive session with Civil Society Organisations on the second day of the power summit held in Abuja.
He said, “We’ve had problems with regards to tariffs. Some of us, including myself, are being subsidised, and that ought not to be. The government is doing a lot in order to improve the power sector and I think it is time for the civil society to let the public know what we are doing.
“Civic engagement like this provides an opportunity for Nigerians to actively take ownership of the reforms, whilst helping to promote the attitudinal changes necessary for reflective power supply, usage and consumption.”
The minister’s position confirmed the report that the Federal Government may stop subsiding low income power consumers anytime soon.
The PUNCH, in October last year, reported that the government might discontinue its provision of subsidy on electricity for low income consumers beginning from 2014.
[Punch]