Governor Aminu Masari of Katsina State has provided 374 transformers to improve electric power supply across the state.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Power Supply, Alhaji Mansur Musa disclosed this at a Public Consultation Forum on ” Extra Ordinary Tariff Review” organized by the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) in Katsina on Thursday.
Musa said that the gesture was to boost socio-economic activities in the state and also impact positively on the lives of the people.
He charged KEDCO to improve on its facilities and services before they increase tariff on electricity supply.
“KEDCO is a private business organization, but the state government has been assisting in several ways, but should sit up and do the needful.
“You cannot just increase your billing until you improve your services to justify your action,” the governor’s aide said.
Two people, who spoke on behalf of the customers at the forum, Alhaji Haruna Gozaki and Alhaji Salele Malumfashi kicked against any review by KEDCO, saying that the company had no reason to increase their tariff.
They pointed out that the company was not living up to the expectation of the masses.
“It is very unfortunate that we are short-changed through estimated billing method, moreso, we don’t have constant or stable light.
“In this situation, how can you come and tell us that you want to review your bill, this is unfair.
“Unless you people are here to tell us that you have already resolved to increase your tariff, then that is a different thing, but we are totally against it,” the customers said.
Earlier in his remark, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO) of KEDCO, Alhaji Jamilu Gomna said that they were in Katsina to consult with customers ahead of the planned tariff increase.
Gomna, who was represented by the Chief Customers Relations Officer of the Organisation, Alhaji Abubakar Yusuf said that the upward review of the tariff was due to the change in the parameter for the supply of electricity to the people in line with current economic realities.
“We consulted with the National Electricity Regulatory Commission, (NERC) and we were directed to consult with you that is why we organized this forum to rub minds,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that KEDCO is the private electricity company that supplies power to Jigawa, Kano and Katsina states.