NERC: ELECTRICITY TARIFF INCREASE WOULD REDUCE GRID COLLAPSES, ENHANCE SUPPLY
than 09:00 am of the next day.”
The order stated that where the Disco failed to deliver on the committed level of service on a Band A feeder for two consecutive days, the Disco shall on the next day by 10am publish on its website an explanation of the reasons for the failure and update the affected customers on the timeline for restoration of service to the committed service level.
It stated, “Where the Disco fails to meet the committed service level to a Band A feeder for seven consecutive days, the feeder shall be automatically downgraded to the recorded level of supply in accordance with applicable framework.
“The Disco is mandated to continuously ensure upward migration of customers from the lower service bands to Band A service level in line with the target on improvement in quality of service.”
However, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) said it was suing the government of President Bola Tinubu over the “arbitrary” increase in electricity tariff.
SERAP, in a post via its official X account, asked the Tinubu government to reverse the “unlawful” tariff increase.
The rights group urged the president to reverse the increase pending the hearing of the suit it instituted against the increase.
SERAP stated, “We’re suing the Tinubu administration over the arbitrary increase in electricity tariff from N66 to N225, despite the difficult economic realities in the country, and the pending lawsuit on the matter.
“The Tinubu administration must reverse the apparently unlawful increase in electricity tariff from N66 to N225 pending the hearing and determination of the suit we filed on the matter, to protect the integrity of the judicial process and the rule of law.”
The Senate also pledged to take action that will favour Nigerians regarding the increase in electricity tariff on its resumption plenary on April 16.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Yemi Adaramodu, gave the assurance while speaking with journalists in Abuja.
According to NERC, Band A customers are those who enjoy 20 hours of electricity supply daily. It was also revealed that customers under this classification represented 15 per cent of the 12 million electricity customers in Nigeria.
The NERC vice chairman clarified that the review would not affect customers on the other bands.
However, the senate spokesperson said relevant committees of the upper chamber were watching the situation and would take a position favourable to Nigerians on its resumption.
Adaramodu said, "The relevant senate committees on power are studying the situation. You know we are on recess now. When we resume, they will present their findings to Senate at plenary. We won't abandon Nigerians."
He maintained that the senate would not show indifference to any policy that would add to the economic burden of Nigerians.
The senate had earlier rejected pronouncement by the Federal Ministry of Power to approve the proposed hikes in electricity tariff by distribution companies.
The senate also rejected plans to remove electricity subsidy, given the present hardship in the country.
The red chamber consequently directed its Committee on Power to investigate the over N2 trillion required for electricity subsidy payment, other debts owed in the sector, and the state of metering in the country.