The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has debunked claims it increased electricity tariff by 50%.
However it confirmed a N2 increase for various segments of the population, which it described as a ‘biannual minor review.’
In a statement on Tuesday, NERC stated that the increment was not contained in the tariff order for electricity distribution companies which took off on January 1, 2021.
It said the tariff for electricity consumers being served less than an average of 12 hours of power supply per day over a period of one month remains frozen and subsidised in line with the policy direction of the Federal Government.
“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 by the regulator read.
“The Commission hereby states 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 NERC stated.
The commission expressed its commitment to protecting electricity consumers from failure to deliver on committed service levels under the service-based tariff regime.
NERC also urged “any customer that has been impacted by any rate increases beyond the above provision of the tariff Order to report to the Commission at customer.complaints@nerc.gov.ng
By Abel Ejikeme