The House of Representatives has directed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to suspend the implementation of the new incremental tariff on Band A customers.
This decision was made during a plenary session on Tuesday, following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Kama Nkemkanma.
NERC had previously announced a 230% increase in electricity tariffs for Band A customers, from ₦68 per kilowatt hour to ₦225/kWh. Band A customers are those who receive an average daily supply of electricity for 20 hours or more, accounting for 15% of the 12 million electricity consumers in the nation.
However, due to the failure to meet the necessary electricity supply hours, some Band A customers were recategorized and moved to Band B.
According to NERC’s Vice Chairman, Musliu Oseni, the commission reviewed the performance of 800 feeders categorized as Band A and reduced it to under 500, affecting only 17% of feeders and less than 15% of customers.
The House of Representatives’ directive to suspend the implementation of the new tariff is aimed at protecting consumers from the significant increase in electricity costs. The suspension will remain in effect until further notice, pending a review of the tariff structure and its impact on consumers.
This decision is a welcome relief for many Nigerians who have been struggling to cope with the high cost of living and the economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The House of Representatives has demonstrated its commitment to protecting the interests of citizens and ensuring that they are not unfairly burdened by excessive tariffs.
The suspension of the new tariff implementation is also a signal to NERC and other regulatory bodies to be more responsive to the needs of consumers and to engage in more transparent and inclusive decision-making processes.
The House of Representatives has shown that it is willing to hold regulatory bodies accountable for their actions and to ensure that they serve the public interest.
As the House of Representatives continues to monitor the situation, it is imperative that NERC and other stakeholders engage in constructive dialogue to find a solution that balances the needs of consumers with the requirements of the electricity sector. This will require a collaborative effort and a commitment to finding a sustainable and equitable solution.
In the meantime, consumers can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the new tariff will not be implemented for the time being.
However, it is essential to remain vigilant and engaged in the process to ensure that the interests of consumers are protected and that the electricity sector is regulated in a fair and transparent manner.
