By Francis Ogwo
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has been directed by the Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman to instruct all electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to revert to tariffs that were applicable in Dec. 2020.
This was made known in a statement by the Senior Special Adviser, Media and Communications to the Minister of Power, Aaron Artimas on Thursday in Abuja.
The Minister said the reversal to the old tariff aims at promoting a constructive conclusion of the discussion with the Labour Centres (through the Joint Ad-Hoc Committee).
“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,” he said.
Recall that there were widespread reports that electricity tariff had been increased by 50 per cent.
“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, government continues to fully subsidise 55 per cent 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,” Artimas added.
Speaking further, Mamman said these measures were all aimed at cushioning the effects of the pandemic while providing more targeted interventions for citizens.
He said the public was aware that the Federal Government and the Labour Centres had been engaged in positive discussions about the electricity sector through a Joint Ad-hoc Committee.
He said that the committee was led by Festus Keyamo, Minister of State for Labour and Productivity and Co-Chaired by the Minister of State for Power, Goddy Jedy-Agba.
He noted that progress has been made in these deliberations which are set to be concluded at the end of January.
“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 a creative use of taxes),” he said.
The minister stated that it should be cleared that the regulator must be allowed to perform its function without undue interference.
He said that the role of the Government was not to set tariffs, but to provide policy guidance and an enabling environment for the regulator to protect consumers and for investors to engage directly with consumers.
According to him, Bi-Annual Minor reviews to adjust factors such as inflation are part of the process for a sustainable and investable Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
He also stated that the regulator must be commended for implementing the subsisting regulations while putting in place extensive actions to minimise the adverse impact on end-user tariffs.
“The administration is committed to creating a sustainable, growing and rules-based electricity market for the benefit of all Nigerians.”
The minister concluded that the administration and the Ministry of Power will make all necessary efforts to boost power supply in the country.
