Electricity consumers, marketers, non-governmental organizations, social groups, community representatives from some states of the Southwest have warned the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) to shelve its proposed plan of increasing tariffs of power supply or face forceful rejection of the plans.

The stakeholders who spoke during a public hearing on the proposed electricity tariff hike by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission expressed their anger and displeasure.

The public hearing on the new electricity tariffs was organized by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) with a view to seeking inputs from consumers on the proposal.

The distribution company had applied to the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) for an upward review of tariff while the company presented reasons for a possible review of the tariff to the stakeholders but which seem not convincing enough to attract the cooperation of the consumers.

They proposed that a new tariff of over N31 would be charged.

A cross-section of the consumers described the proposal as ill-timed adding that they would not comply with the new tariffs even if the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approve the same.

They maintained that there was no need for tariff increase but that the IBEDC should ensure a constant supply of prepaid meter and block all loopholes through which some of its staff plunder the funds meant for the company.

The Chairman of the panel of NERC, Musiliu Olalekan Oseni in his welcome address had explained to the stakeholders the importance of collating their input before reaching a final decision on the proposed tariff hike.

Almost all the statistics churned out by IBEDC through Mr Deolu Ijose were faulted by the consumers which led to some heated argument among the electricity consumers.