Many electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) say they are willing to pay for an improved and steady power supply.
The consumers residing in Kubwa, Kuje, Gwagwalada and Nyanya spoke to journalists in Abuja on Sunday.
Murphy Osayande, a civil servant residing in Kubwa, said he was willing to pay for electricity if the power supply was constant.
Mr Osayande urged the government to do everything possible to ensure a steady power supply to consumers, adding that having an electricity supply for less than four hours a day was not encouraging.
”Not having electricity for more than four hours a day was not good enough; if there is constant light, I am willing to pay for it,” he said.
Happy Usman, a trader also residing in Kubwa, said all electricity consumers would be willing to pay for regular and stable electricity.
”Fuel is not cheap, so if I have a power supply up to 14 hours a day, I will be willing to pay for it,” she said.
Timothy Olaniyi, a welder residing in Kuje, said that in the area where he lives, the power supply is epileptic, as he does not have power for up to four hours.
Mr Olaniyi said there were days he didn’t have a power supply, and this was affecting his business.
He said he needed electricity to do his job and appealed to the government to do everything to ensure a constant power supply.
Blessing Okonofua, a fashion designer in Gwagwalada, said that if the power supply improves, she was ready to pay for it instead of fueling a generator for her business.
Ms Okonofua said that no matter the cost of electricity, it was better than using a generator.
Sule Mohammed, who operates a barbing salon in Nyanya, said he was also ready to pay for electricity consumed if it were regular.
Mr Mohammed said the government should put in more effort to ensure a constant power supply to benefit consumers, and more revenue will also be generated for the government.
He said,”If there is a regular power supply, the government will generate more revenue from electricity consumed.”
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, recently reaffirmed the federal government’s resolve to address the challenges within Nigeria’s energy sector.
The minister said the government acknowledges the economic hardship Nigerians face and reaffirmed the Ministry of Power’s commitment to stabilising the grid, expanding access, and fostering investor confidence.
(NAN)
