REPS ASK NERC, DISCOs TO IMMEDIATELY REVERSE BAND A ELECTRICITY TARIFF HIKE

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On Tuesday, the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the distribution firms (DISCOs) were urged by the House of Representatives to immediately stop raising rates for Band A customers.

Following the passage of a report by the House Committee on Power, this resolution was made.

Nigerians, according to Committee Chairman Victor Nwokolo, who delivered the report, cannot pay the new rate.

The committee suggested going back to how things were.

It was passed after the Committee of the Whole accepted the suggestions.

The House will be looking into the tariff hike in more detail.

A rise impacting Band A customers—who would now pay N225 per kilowatt—was announced by the NERC in April.

The regulatory authority stated that Band A users would have access to power for at least 20 hours per day.

Additionally, it clarified that the hike will only apply to Band A electrical customers.

Even though it was claimed at the time that the increase only affected 15% of electricity users, the decision has now sparked backlash.

“We currently have 800 feeders that are categorised as Band A, but it will now be reduced to under 500. This means that 17 per cent now qualify as Band-A feeders. These feeders only service 15 per cent of total electricity customers connected to the feeders,” NERC Vice Chairman, Musliu Oseni said on April 3.

“The commission has issued an order which is titled April supplementary order and the commission allows a 235 kilowatt per hour.”