Some electricity consumers in Warri, Delta state have disputed the claim by the federal government that it spends 50 billion naira monthly to subsidize electricity for some category of consumers.
Those who spoke to reporters said that such expenditure cannot be justified when electricity consumers are not seeing a commensurate supply of power.
Electricity supply in most parts of Warri has remained quite erratic.
Efforts to improve power distribution appear not to be yielding the desired result despite the privatization initiative in the sector.
Many consumers still doubt Minister of Power, Maman Saleh’s claim that the sum of 50 billion naira is spent monthly on electricity subsidy to distribution companies by the Federal Government for some category of consumers.
This is because many businesses in Warri have been seriously affected due to poor power supply.
With electricity closely linked to productivity, Nigeria’s quest to lift its citizens out of poverty may never be realized without a constant and affordable power supply.