Director-General of Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Professor Jidere Bala, has advised investors in power sector to maintain good relationship with consumers through low but cost reflective tariff regime.
Bala told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that electricity was a service and consumers must have good relationship with the suppliers.
The Director-General said that Generating Companies (GENCOs) and Distribution Companies (DISCOs) were not philanthropists and so must make profits.
“The suppliers need a little profit, the consumers must also agree with suppliers.
“Government, as regulator, should also be there to regulate the duo.
“They have to source for the service they are giving consumers, so we should reach compromise and not fight over tariff,” he said.
Bala urged Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to come out with strong regulatory framework to enable consumers enjoy what they paid for.
He advised consumers to exercise patience as finance was the major challenge facing the operators.
“It has been almost four years of privatisation of the sector now; it is not easy to raise money to finance major projects.
“We should still be patient with the market situation; consumers and suppliers should understand one another,” he said.
