Electricity tariff: Federal Government orders reversal in Nigeria

The Federal Government has ordered the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to call on the Electricity Distribution Companies, DisCos to revert to tariffs that were applicable in December 2020.

In a statement obtained by The Daily, www.thedaily-ng.com, Mr. Aaron Artimas, Senior Special Adviser, Media and Communications to the Minister of Power, stated: “I have directed NERC to inform all DISCOs that they should revert to the tariffs that were applicable in December 2020 until the end of January 2021 when the FGN and Labour committee work will be concluded. This will allow for the outcome of all resolutions from the Committee to be implemented together.

“I would like to affirm that these reports are inaccurate and false. It is unfortunate that these reports have led to confusion with the public. “On the contrary, the Government continues to fully subsidize 55 percent of on-grid consumers in bands D and E and maintain the lifeline tariff for the poor and underprivileged. Those citizens have experienced no changes to tariff rates from what they have paid historically, aside from the recent minor inflation and forex adjustment. Partial subsidies were also applied for bands A, B, and C in October 2020.”

He stated: “Some of the achievements of this deliberation with Labour are the accelerated rollout of the National Mass Metering Plan and clampdowns on estimated billing. Improved monitoring of the Service-Based Tariff and the reduction in tariff rates for bands A to C in October 2020 (that were funded by creative use of taxes). “The administration is committed to creating a sustainable, growing, and rules-based electricity market for the benefit of all Nigerians. The administration and the Ministry of Power will also continue to devise means to provide support for vulnerable Nigerians while ensuring we have a sustainable NESI.”