In order to address the marginalization and exploitation of customers in the energy sector, prominent power sector expert Olukayode Akinrolabu has urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to adopt a more proactive and customer-focused strategy.
This suggestion was made in an interview on Sunday by Mr. Akinrolabu, chairman of the Festac/Satellite Town, Lagos, Customer Consultative Forum.
In order to lower overhead costs, he emphasized the importance of vigorous competition in the industry.
Mr. Akinrolabu also brought attention to the problem of frequent grid failures, which he thinks can be lessened by improving maintenance reporting and monitoring, upgrading current infrastructure, and advancing independent state and regional power generation.
According to Mr. Akinrolabu, there were ten significant system failures in 2024. Regretfully, the issue still exists, with negligence, poor monitoring, and poor maintenance being the main culprits.
Mr. Akinrolabu emphasized the significance of closing the metering gap in Distribution Companies, doing away with estimated billing, and imposing severe penalties on disobedient customers and DisCos in order to strengthen the power industry.
In order to avoid system failures in the upcoming year, he expressed the hope that the difficulties encountered in 2024 would result in significant reforms.
Mr. Akinrolabu promoted structural changes, such as adjustments to the way energy distribution is handled. He recommended that DisCos be given the authority to oversee their allotments and provide meters to consumers directly.
He suggested that DisCos receive capital project funding from the Central Bank of Nigeria. Additionally, he criticized the current tariff system, calling it harsh, discriminatory, and ineffective.
He claims that a large number of consumers are positioned in tariff bands that are greater than their means.
He also emphasized the need for investors to promote healthy competition and lower prices while advocating for independent regional power generation autonomy.
“Until a sophisticated system to track consumption is put in place and digital meters are distributed to all customers, estimated billing cannot be eliminated,” Mr. Akinrolabu stated. “Estimated billing is nothing more than daylight robbery until that time.”
“All installations must be secured in cooperation with host communities,” he continued. Those who commit vandalism should face harsh punishment from the authorities.
