At a time many States experiencing serious poor supplies in electricity due to dropping trend in national power output, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is considering another upward review of electricity tariffs.
Whereas NERC claims that its reason for hiking the tariff centered on improving service delivery and overall customer experience across the country, many electricity users have countered the agency saying that has been the lies they tell Nigerians without any form of improvement after the hike.
The signal was seen from the a post on Monday on NERC’s official X handle, saying “the proposed review is aimed at enhancing efficiency in the power sector and ensuring better quality of electricity supply to consumers. Although NERC did not disclose the new tariff structure under consideration, it stressed the need for transparency in the pricing process.
“You deserve satisfaction and accurate information on the increase. There is no issue of hidden pricing or cutting off your power arbitrarily,” the statement read.
It further explained: “We are bringing the electricity tariff closer to you to improve your quality of life, and we assure you of continued protection of your rights every day.”
NERC said the objective of the review is to ensure access to “quality, affordable electricity, and to pay for it in a painless manner,” while addressing the shortcomings of the current “one-size-fits-all payment system” and issues around inconsistent metering and supply challenges.
Business Hilights.ng reports that the new tariff hike is coming not so long after a recent hike that characterized the segregation of servicer users into Bands A, B and C.
Band A customers in April 2024, raising rates from about N68 per kilowatt-hour (kWh) to N225 per kWh—an increase of roughly 240 to 300 per cent. The adjustment affected about 15 per cent of electricity consumers who are expected to receive at least 20 hours of supply daily.
Subsequently, the tariff was reviewed downward to N206.80/kWh in May 2024, before minor adjustments saw some distribution companies (DisCos) increase rates to about N209.50/kWh in July 2024, amid ongoing sector reviews.
Upon the band division, many consumers have continued to express dissatisfaction, arguing that the level of electricity supply has not matched the higher tariffs charged par band.
