After Charging ‘Band A’ Customers Using New Tariff, DisCos Fail To Deliver 20 Hours Of Power

• Last week, electricity distribution companies (DisCos) started charging “Band A” customers a new tariff.

• The new tariff more than tripled the old rate.

• Despite the promise of providing power 20 hours a day, the DisCos have failed to deliver.

Eko Hot Blog reports that electricity distribution companies (DisCos) are struggling to meet up with their obligations to “Band A” customers despite the hike in their tariffs.

Various DisCos took to social media on Monday and Tuesday to disclose their inability to meet the required daily power supply to this group of customers.

EDITOR’S PICKS

• Fisayo Soyombo And Customs: A Mockery Of ‘See Something, Say Something’

• Nigeria’s Electricity Tariff Hike: A Blow To Citizens’ Wallets And The Economy

• Banditry, Kidnapping, And Gumi’s Rhetoric

Recall that, on April 3, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved an increase in electricity tariff for customers under Band A classification, from N66 to N225.

Under Band A, customers are entitled to a minimum of 20 hours of power supply per day and all DisCos have been authorised to implement the policy immediately.

However, to ensure transparency and accountability, NERC said where the DisCo fails to deliver on the committed level of service to a Band-A feeder for two consecutive days, the DisCo should, the next day by 10.00 am, publish on its website, reasons for failing.

The regulator directed the DisCo to update the affected customers on the timeline for restoration of service to the committed service level.

In line with the NERC directive, four out of 11 DisCos have published their inability to meet the required daily supply and also given reasons.

These companies include Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO), Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company (KAEDC), and Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

On its X page on Tuesday, IBEDC said some Band A customers were not given 20 hours of electricity due to system outages and tripping on its feeders.

Also, KEDCO said a circuit breaker issue affected its ability to provide the required hours of electricity for its premium customers.

On its part, BEDC apologised to customers for not meeting the required minimum service level of 20 hours on the feeders as of April 8.

FURTHER READING

• VIDEO: Four Buildings Collapse As Fire Guts 14 Structures On Lagos Island

• IN PICTURES: See How Total Solar Eclipse Unfolded In US

• Philip Shaibu Out As Edo Deputy Governor

Similarly, KAEDC apologised for failing to supply up to the expected hours of light as of April 8 to the affected customers.

Click below to watch our video of the week: