*Asks media to retract publications misinforming consumers
The commission, therefore, asked the media to “retract their earlier publications misinforming electricity consumers nationwide about a purported 50% increase in electricity tariffs.”
Government of Nigeria says there is no truth in media reports that it has aporoved increased electricity tariffs.
Making this denial, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said neither did it approve any 50 percent increase in electricity tariffs nor give anybody such the right to do so.
Some online media (not The DEFENDER) had reported that the commission approved another increase in tariffs, leading to some Nigerians ventilating their anger that the Muhammadu Buhari Administration should not have allowed it to happen at this time or any time in bear future.
A consumer, Alhaji Tijani Olukemi, who called The DEFENDER from Ibadan, Oyo State capital earlier on Tuesday, said, “President Muhammadu Buhari should not allow any of his advisers to give him any advice that will lead to increase in the hardship of the people. We are his supporters and will continue to be on guard against those who launch mischievous attacks on him and his government. But that support should not be made difficult for us to exercise by things like increased electricity tariffs,” he said.
According to the media reports earlier, NERC, in a directive issued on December 31, 2020, and signed by its chairman, Sanusi Garba, said the new tariffs would take effect from January 1, 2021.
NERC said some of the indices considered for the upward review include Nigeria’s inflation rate, exchange rate, US rate of inflation, available generation capacity, gas price, MDA losses and capex adjustment.
Reportedly, the reports subsequently suggested that the new tariffs were a 50% increase from the previous one.
But the Commission said the reports were misinforming electricity consumers.
It said that the tariff for customers on service bands D & E (customers being served less than an average of 12hrs of supply per day over a period of one month) remains frozen and subsidised.
The commission noted that the hike affected the rates for service bands A, B, C, D and E. It said the rates were adjusted by N2.00 to N4.00 per kWhr to reflect the partial impact of inflation and movement in foreign exchange.
NERC further said that the move was in compliance with the provisions of the EPSR Act and the nation’s tariff methodology for biannual minor review.
“The attention of the Commission has been drawn to publications in the print and electronic media misinforming electricity consumers that the Commission has approved a 50% increase in electricity tariffs,” the statement read.
“The Commission hereby state unequivocally that NO approval has been granted for a 50% tariff increase in the Tariff Order for electricity distribution companies which took effect on January 1, 2021.
“On the contrary, the tariff for customers on service bands D & E (customers being served less than an average of 12hrs of supply per day over a period of one month) remains frozen and subsidised in line with the policy direction of the FG.
“In compliance with the provisions of the EPSR Act and the nation’s tariff methodology for biannual minor review, the rates for service bands A, B, C, D and E have been adjusted by NGN2.00 to NGN4.00 per kWhr to reflect the partial impact of inflation & movement in forex.”
The commission, therefore, asked the media to “retract their earlier publications misinforming electricity consumers nationwide about a purported 50% increase in electricity tariffs.”
“The Commission remains committed to protecting electricity consumers from failure to deliver on committed service levels under the service-based tariff regime.
“Any customer that has been impacted by any rate increases beyond the above provision of the tariff Order should report to the Commission at customer.complaints@nerc.gov.ng,” it added.
