Electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory say they are willing to pay high tariff for improved and sustainable power supply.

According to The News Agency of Nigeria, Consumers who reside in Kuje, Kubwa, Gwagwalada, Lugbe, and Nyanyan spoke in separate interviews with journalists in Abuja on Sunday.

Monday Oriafo, a civil servant resident in Kuje, said he would be willing to pay for electricity if the supply were stable. Mr Oriafo said the government should do everything possible to ensure a steady power supply, adding that having electricity for less than four hours a day was not encouraging.

He said, “Not having electricity for more than four hours a day is not good enough; if there is constant light, I am willing to pay for it.”

Vivian Udoh, a trader also residing in Kuje, said that all electricity consumers would be willing to pay for a regular and stable power supply. Ms Udoh said that if the power supply improved, she would be willing to pay any amount. ” If I have a power supply for up to 14 hours a day, I will be willing to pay for it as fuel is no longer cheap,” she said.

Amah Okorie, a fashion designer residing in Kubwa, said that in her area, she does not have a power supply for five hours. According to her, there are days when her area does not have electricity, which seriously affects her business. Ms Okorie appealed to the government to do everything possible to ensure a constant power supply, adding that she was ready to pay any amount to ensure it.

Jude Aleogho, a welder in Gwagwalada, said that if the power supply improved, he would be ready to pay for it rather than use a generator for his business. Mr Aleogho said that no matter the price of electricity, it is cheaper than purchasing fuel to run a generator, adding, “So I am willing to pay for it if it were stable.”

Idris Suleman, who operates a barbing salon in Lugbe, said he was also ready to pay a high tariff for electricity if it were regular. He urged the government to make greater efforts to ensure a continuous power supply for all consumers, not just those on Band A. Mr Suleman added, ” If there is a regular power supply, the government will generate more revenue from it.”

Happiness David, who operates a cold room in Nyanyan, said the challenge of epileptic power supply was frustrating her business. ”Government should put the right infrastructure in place and make electricity available to all Nigerians,” she said.

Power minister Adebayo Adelabu recently assured Nigerians that power supply would improve in the next two weeks and apologised for the current epileptic power being witnessed across the country. Mr Adelabu also appealed to Nigerians for patience regarding the temporary challenges currently being experienced in the power sector, adding that the ministry was doing everything possible to address the problem.