The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has ordered an upward review of electricity tariffs in the country.
The NERC Vice Chairman, M. Oseni, disclosed the new rate while speaking at a press conference in Abuja. He explained that the upward review only affects those in the Band-A category.
He noted that the increase would not affect Bands B, C, D, and E while noting that the number of customers previously on Band A has been reduced.
He added that the new rate will be imposed only on consumers, who represent 15 percent of the population but consume 40 percent of the nation’s electricity.
He said Nigeria currently has 800 feeders that are categorized as Band A feeders, but upon reviewing those feeders’ performance, the commission has now reduced it to under 500. This means that 17 percent now qualify as Band-A feeders. Those are the feeders that are currently meeting the average 20 hours average\”.
In his words, “So we have just 17 percent of the total feeders of the distribution companies now qualify as Band A feeders. That is, when you look at where those feeders are critical, it is estimated that under 15 percent of customers are currently connected to those feeders. So based on that, feeders are not meeting the 24-hour supply and have been asked to be downgraded immediately, with strict compliance and strong enforcement action,” he said.
By Emeng Innocent Enang
