Dipo Olowookere
By Dipo Olowookere
There has not been any directive to the electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to increase tariffs from January 1, 2024, as rumoured in a sector of the media, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has declared.
The spokesman for the agency, Mr Usman Arabi, confirmed this to TheCable.
“No new electricity tariff has been approved. Nigerians should ignore any news reports about the new electricity tariff coming up on January 1, 2024,” he informed the online newspaper.
Last week, there were reports that the discos had been directed to increase tariffs from yesterday, sparking mixed reactions among consumers who felt they were being pushed to the wall by the rumoured hike.
However, NERC, which regulates the power sector in the country, has said such rates are not in the pipeline at the moment, indicating that the old rates remain.
This is coming after one of the licenced energy distribution firms, Jos Electricity Distribution Company, refuted reports of the planned tariff increment.
“We have not received any directive or order on that. I have also heard about the rumour, but it has not been confirmed. So, at this moment, I am not aware of any such moves to hike electricity tariffs.
“I also read the claim in one of the dailies that there may be a tariff increase starting tomorrow, but I’ve not received any correspondence to that effect. If there is a directive, we cannot do it secretly, for once there is an increase, everybody will know.
“Right now, it is still a rumour; there is no order from the government or NERC directing us to commence or effect any tariff hike. At least till this minute that I’m speaking with you, there’s no such directive,” the spokesperson of the disco, Mr Adekole Elijah, told Punch.
Recall that in November 2023, the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had halted the planned electricity tariff hike and directed the continuation of the payment of subsidies on electricity to ease the pressure on consumers.
“The power sector is an industry that is very sensitive to any leader. You cannot jump overnight and implement the cost-reflective tariff.
“I can tell you that, until today, the government still subsidises power.
“The tariff should have been raised months ago, but Mr President said until we are able to achieve regular and incremental power supply, we can’t touch the tariff.
“Mr President is trying to relieve this hardship through various forms of palliatives.
“So, it is not politically expedient and reasonable to now implement a tariff that is more like dumping the existing tariff,” the Power Minister told newsmen.
