The Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) is calling for strict penalties to be imposed on Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) that fail to uphold their service delivery agreements. NSE President, Mrs. Margaret Oguntala, made this demand during a press briefing in response to the recent 240 per cent increase in electricity tariffs approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for customers in Band A, who receive 20 hours of power supply.

While the tariff hike has sparked outrage among Nigerians, Oguntala clarified that the NSE is not opposed to the increase. However, she emphasized the importance of protecting electricity consumers and ensuring that their needs are met without any compromise.

Oguntala raised concerns about the implementation of policies and the effectiveness of regulatory frameworks in holding DisCos accountable for their actions. She highlighted the need for transparency in metering and urged for clear guidelines on how DisCos should handle downtime during repairs to ensure that customers are not short-changed.

In light of these issues, the NSE is advocating for stringent sanctions to be enforced against DisCos that fail to meet their service delivery obligations. By holding these companies accountable, the NSE aims to safeguard the rights of electricity consumers and ensure that they receive the quality of service they deserve.

As the debate over electricity tariffs continues to unfold in Nigeria, the NSE’s call for accountability and transparency in the energy sector serves as a reminder of the importance of upholding standards and protecting the interests of consumers.