The Nigerian Electrical energy Regulatory Fee has defined why it has not reverted to the outdated electrical energy tariff as directed by the Home of Representatives.
On Tuesday, the Home directed NERC and the electrical energy distribution firms to reverse the electrical energy tariff hike imposed on Band ‘A’ prospects.
Recall that the NERC raised the electrical energy tariff on April 3, 2024 for the Band A prospects who’re mentioned to be having fun with 20 hours of every day energy provide.
The tariff hike has since generated reactions from Nigerians as customers who fall beneath the Band A class proceed to lament the surge of their electrical energy invoice.
The Band A customers are paying N225 kilowatt per hour in opposition to the N66 they used to pay.
Addressing the considerations of Nigerians over the electrical energy tariff hike, the Inexperienced Chamber ordered NERC and DisCos to revert to the outdated tariff.
The directive follows the adoption of suggestions from the Home Committee on Energy, offered by Victor Nwokolo throughout a session chaired by Deputy Speaker, Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
However the Spokesperson for NERC, Usman Arabi, mentioned the fee has not obtained official communication from the Representatives on the directive.
He mentioned, “We’ve got not obtained official communication from the home on the directive. Often, when there are resolutions, they are going to be communicated formally. However we’ve got but to obtain the decision.”
Equally, some federal universities in areas designated Band A by the Discos have been groaning beneath heavy electrical energy payments.
They lamented that ever since NERC accepted the 300 per cent enhance within the tariff, electrical energy payments of their campuses have surged, forcing them to cough out between N80m and N300m month-to-month.
Confirming this in an interview with our correspondent on Friday, the Secretary-Normal of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Prof Yakubu Ochefu, mentioned the rise within the power payments had affected operations of the colleges.
Ochefu mentioned, “It does influence the operations of the colleges. It’s the approach it impacts the operations of each organisation. If there’s a practically 300 per cent rise in power value, it can have an effect on our operations.”
However talking with Sunday PUNCH on Friday, the Government Director of Analysis & Advocacy of the DisCos, Sunday Oduntan, mentioned trade fee and rate of interest are main elements accountable for the electrical energy tariff hike.
Oduntan famous that the latest enhance in tariffs, notably for Band A prospects, is a results of the removing of subsidies.