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Why We Haven’t Reverted To Old Electricity Tariff – NERC
NERC has not reverted to the old electricity tariff as directed by the House of Representatives due to a lack of official communication regarding the directive.
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has explained why it has not reverted to the old electricity tariff as directed by the House of Representatives.
On Tuesday, the House directed NERC and electricity distribution companies to reverse the electricity tariff hike imposed on Band ‘A’ customers. NERC had raised the tariff on April 3, 2024, for Band A customers, who reportedly enjoy 20 hours of daily power supply.
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The tariff hike has sparked reactions from Nigerians, with Band A consumers lamenting the surge in their electricity bills, now paying N225 per kilowatt-hour instead of the previous N66.
In response to public concerns, the House of Representatives ordered NERC and DisCos to revert to the old tariff, following recommendations from the House Committee on Power, presented by Victor Nwokolo during a session chaired by Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
However, NERC spokesperson Usman Arabi stated that the commission has not received official communication from the House regarding the directive. “We have not received official communication from the House on the directive. Usually, when there are resolutions, they will be communicated officially. But we have yet to receive the resolution,” Arabi said.
Similarly, some federal universities in areas designated Band A by the Discos have been groaning under heavy electricity bills.
They lamented that ever since NERC approved the 300 per cent increase in the tariff, electricity bills of their campuses have surged, forcing them to cough out between N80m and N300m monthly.
Confirming this in an interview with our correspondent on Friday, the Secretary-General of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Prof Yakubu Ochefu, said the rise in the energy bills had affected operations of the universities.
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Ochefu said, “It does impact the operations of the universities. It is the way it impacts the operations of every organisation. If there is a nearly 300 per cent rise in energy cost, it will affect our operations.”
But speaking with Punch on Friday, the Executive Director of Research & Advocacy of the DisCos, Sunday Oduntan, said exchange rate and interest rate are major factors responsible for the electricity tariff hike.
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