The Federal Government on Wednesday, April 3rd, jacked up electricity tariff, causing angry outburst of reactions across the country. At a press briefing in Abuja, Musliu Oseni, Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), said electricity tariff has increased by 300 percent in the country....CONTINUE READING
He also said the increase will see customers pay ₦225 kilowatts per hour, up from the current ₦66.
However, the interesting part of this announcement for many Nigerians is that not all customers will be affected by the increase.
The Federal Government said it jacked up the electricity tariff for Band A customers.
Who Are Band A Customers?
Band A customers are those who enjoy electricity supply for 20 hours per day.
These category of customers will now have to pay ₦225 kilowatts per hour to power their homes, businesses.
The NERC Vice Chairman said these customers represent 15 per cent of the 12 million electricity customers in the country.
A customer can know the band he belongs by contacting the electricity distribution company in his region or by judging by the hours of electricity he enjoys.
Oseni added that the commission had also downgraded some customers on Band A to Band B due to non-fulfilment of the required hours of electricity provided by the electricity distribution company.
In his words: “We currently have 800 feeders that are categorised as Band A, but it will now be reduced to under 500. This means that 17 per cent now qualify as Band-A feeders. These feeders only service 15 per cent of total electricity customers connected to the feeders.
“The commission has issued an order which is titled April supplementary order and the commission allows a 235 kilowatt per hour.”
He noted that the review will not affect customers on the other Bands.
Bloomberg on Tuesday reported that power companies will be allowed to raise electricity prices to N200 ($0.15) per kilowatt-hour from N68 for urban consumers.
