Our Reporter, Abuja; with Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Federal Government has finally succumbed to pressure as it has directed a downward review of electricity tariff for Band A customers to N206.80/kwh, from N225/kwh.
Public outcry has trailed the jacking of tariff for Band A customers from N68/KWh to N225/kWh by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC.
Critics say the increase in tariff was unjustifiable especially in this era of constant collapse of the national grid resulting into unstable power supply across the country.
Band A customers are electricity consumers with a minimum supply of 20 hours daily.
But there have been complaints by electricity consumers in the country that they hardly get supply of public power for three hours a day in most of the states.
But in a press release on Monday, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, directed all the distribution companies to effect a downward review of the tariff for Band A consumers.
The release stated: “Pursuant to the tariff methodology adopted by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, a revised tariff order covering the month of May 2024 has been issued by the Commission to the eleven (11) electricity distribution companies.
The Commission has considered changes in the macroeconomic parameters over the preceding month of April 2024 and especially the appreciation of exchange rates – consequently the Commission has approved a downward review of end-user tariffs for Band “A” customers from NGN225/kWh to NGN206.8/kWh.
The Commission reaffirms its commitment to providing a balanced and effective regulatory regime serving the needs of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.”
Meanwhile, the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company in compliance to the directive on tariff review Monday issued a notice to its customers.
The notice read: “Please, be informed of the downward tariff review of our Band A feeders from N225/kwh to N206.80/kwh effective 6th May 2024 with guaranteed availability of 20-24 hours supply daily.
“The tariff for Bands B, C, D, and E remains unchanged.”
The same statement was also put out by Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, AEDC, on Monday.
