The Plateau state House of Assembly has directed the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JECD) to forthwith halt its planned up review of tariff, until it holds a stakeholders forum meeting.
The house, pursuant to motion of urgent public importance raised by HonPhilip Dasun, expressed worries over the planned increase in tariff, lamenting that the increase was uncalled for as people were not supplied with energy.
He said: “Not only that JECD should halt the planned increase but should ensure that they metered houses in the state.”
The Majority Leader, Hon Naanlong Daniel, said the motion was not only timely but apt, stressing that JEDC should also stop compelling consumers to purchase equipment before they are supplied energy in their areas and homes.
He said: “It is sad that besides given estimated billing to customers over energy not supplied, the JECD is making people to buy transformers, cables and poles, and once they are installed they become the properties of the company. This is only done in Nigeria.”
The House Speaker, Hon Abok Ayuba, said based on the house deliberations, members resolved that JECD should halt any planned increase in tariff until a stakeholders meeting is held, that it should ensure that homes are metered in the state.
He said the house Standing Committee on Water Resources and Energy should liaise with the Disco to put up means of addressing the issues raised.
