PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari yesterday agreed with the leadership of the National Assembly on the need to delay the planned hike in electricity tariffs.

The leadership of the National Assembly had on Monday met with the Electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs, where it was agreed that the planned new tariff expected to take effect today, July 1, should be delayed till first quarter of 2021.

Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, met with President Buhari after the virtual flag-off of the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano Gas Pipeline project co-ordinated from the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The Presiding Officers of the National Assembly also met with the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in his office.

Speaking to State House correspondents, Lawan and Gbajabiamila said the timing for the tariff increase was wrong, hence, the effective date has to be postponed till first quarter of next year.

Gbajabiamila said: “Let me just say that we saw the President earlier this morning (yesterday) and we met with the Vice President also. The whole idea is that when there is a major policy decision, it is always good that the legislature and the executive are on the same page, so we don’t sing different tunes.

“I will like to say that we have all agreed on an increase in cost-reflective tariff but the issue is that the timing is also important. Sometimes, timing is even more important than the policy decision that you make.

“We have all agreed to suspend this for a while and get the buy-in of the people, explain to the people why this has to be done, that it is for the betterment for electricity to get stable.

“They (DISCOs and GENCOs) are businessmen and cannot be undercutting themselves. I think so far so good, the President and the Vice President listened attentively and I think everybody is on the same page and hopefully, we will get some reprieve between now and whenever, but it’s not going to happen today.”
Also speaking, the Senate President affirmed that the Villa meeting was in connection with the plan for electricity tariff hike, saying time was not right for an increase.

He said necessary measures, including the provision of prepaid meters must first be put in place before any hike could be made.
Lawan said: “We have come to visit our Vice President, in connection with the impending electricity tariff hike in the country.

Read more===https://thestreetjournal.org/2020/07/buhari-nass-delay-electricity-tariff-hike-nlc-demands-immediate-cancellation/

If the electricity delivery is very good, no how Nigerians will not want to pay. As long as they are getting what they are paying for.

This is a good move so far we still have epileptic supply of electricity

I agree totally with the VP's stand against the increment in tariff and that services have to be efficiently provided for the citizens. An efficient service encourages payment.