DisCos will enforce new electricity tariff from April –ANED

The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distribution Companies (ANED), on Monday said that the Distribution Companies (DisCos) would enforce the new electricity tariffs from April 1.
Mr Sunday Oduntan, the Director, Research and Advocacy, ANED disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Monday.
Oduntan said that the present tariff shall remain the same until April 1, when there would be a slight increment to cater for tariff shortfalls which shall be gradually passed on to consumers until “it is fully completed’’.
“We state emphatically that there shall be no change or increase in the existing Electricity tariff until April 1, when the new adjusted tariffs shall begin to gradually reflect the dynamism of our macro-economy.’’
Oduntan said that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) was empowered by the Electric Power Sector Reform Act to carry out minor reviews of the Multi-Year Tariff Order 2015 twice a year.
According to him, NERC has just reviewed the MYTO 2015 and has published an order on tariffs and minimum remittance for January to June.
News Agency of Nigeria reports that NERC had on Saturday published new tariffs for the different DisCos and categories of customers on its website which was signed by its chairman and Secretary Prof. James Momoh and Dafe Akpeneye respectively.
However, NERC chairman Momoh had in a news conference on Monday said what the commission did was a tariff review which was usually done twice a year.
According to him, there will be no increase in electricity tariff without consultations.
Oduntan said that the new tariff ordered by NERC would cater for revenue shortfalls in the sector
“The tariffs anticipate changes in the currency exchange rates between the United States and Nigeria, changes in the rate of inflation and gas prices.
“It is our hope that this explanation substantially clarifies the accurate position and allays any fears and concerns our esteemed customers may have.” he said.
Meanwhile some residents of Badagry, a coastal Town in Lagos State, have decried the planned hike in electricity tariff.
They told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Badagry on Monday that the proposed hike was uncalled for in view of the continued poor services.
In his reactions, Mr Jimon Idowu, a staff of the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), said the distribution companies (DISCOs) must put their houses in order before contemplating any tariff increment.
“There are lots of challenges still confronting the power sector that needed to be resolved before increasing the tariffs.
“The authorities should also consider the suffering masses who continued to pay for electricity they do not consume.
“In Badagry, only 10 per cent of consumers are on prepaid meters, while others are on estimated billings.
“How do you now justify consumers that pay N10,000 monthly for just few hours electricity supply in a month.
“We do not have regular electricity supply in Badagry, with this proposed hike in tariff, we are going to pay more for supply we are not enjoying.
“The hike in tariff should be suspended until every customer are on prepaid meter so that it will not serve as punishment to us on estimation,” he said.
Also, Mr Felix Godonu, the President of Hengo Badagry Youth Association, said the move was uncalled for, saying that Nigerians were economically vulnerable with low purchasing power.
“I am surprised at the announcement. The distribution companies have continued to grapple with unstable electricity plus the problem of estimated bill that is still hanging in the balance.
“Consistently, Badagry residents are made to pay for what they do not consume.
“The government ought to find lasting solutions to the decades of epileptic power supply in the country.
“Badagry case is unimaginable, a town where there are no industries, over 70 per cent of residents are artisans, small and medium enterprises owners whose business depend on electricity, and they should not be subjected to this kind of hardship.
“A situation in which power supply is not available and still residents struggling to pay the current estimated bills, hiking the tariff would be suicidal,” he said.
Commenting, Chief Tunde Giro, the Depegun of Badagry, urged the Federal Government to consider the hardship Nigerians were going through and put a hold on the planned hike in tariff.
“Many people around here cannot afford three square meals.
“The present economic situation of the country is on the high side, this is not the right time to increase the electricity tariff,” he cautioned government.