No Increase In Electricity Tariff For Poor Nigerians – NERC

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on
Wednesday said it is committed to ensuring that “poor and
vulnerable” Nigerians do not experience any undue increase in
electricity tariff.

According to a statement signed by the Commission’s Chairman,
James Momoh, electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) can only
increase prices only after customers have been consulted and
metered.

The DISCOs must also commit to increasing the number of hours of
electricity supply per day.

“This means that unmetered customers will not experience any
cost increase beyond what is chargeable to metered customers in the
same area,” Momoh said.

“Even under the above conditions, there will be no change in
tariffs for the most vulnerable as tariffs for those consuming 50KW
or less remain frozen.

“Customers receiving less than 12 hours of supply will also not
experience any change in tariffs.”

Also on Wednesday, Minister of Power, Sule Mamman, announced
that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved a one-year waiver of
import levies on electricity billing meters.

Yesterday I announced that a Metering Policy
was imminent, I am Pleased to tell you that President @MBuhari has
approved a 1-year waiver of Import Levy on meters, Nigerians
without meters can be supplied as soon as possible and an this ends
Estimated Billing Nationwide.

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});

— Engr. Sale Mamman (@EngrSMamman) August 26, 2020

The move is expected to speed up the process of supplying
customers across the country with meters and end estimated,
arbitrary billing.

READ THE NERC CHAIRMAN’S FULL
STATEMENT: 

PRESS RELEASE: NERC COMMITTED TO PROTECTING CUSTOMERS

In response to media reports that there is an increase in
tariffs for Nigerians, NERC wishes to clarify that tariff reviews
going forward will only follow service-based principles. Under
these service-based principles DISCOs will only be able to review
tariff rates for customers when they consult with customers, commit
to increasing the number of hours of supply per day and quality of
service.

In all cases poor and vulnerable Nigerians will not experience
any increase. In line with these expectations, DISCOs are directed
to engage with their customers on a Service Based Tariff structure.
Under the Service Based Tariff Structure, DISCOs can only review
tariffs for customers under the following conditions:

Customers are consulted and communicated a guaranteed level of
electricity service by the DISCOs based on hours of supply
Customers are metered

No estimated billing through the strict enforcement of the
capping regulation. This means that unmetered customers will not
experience any cost increase beyond what is chargeable to metered
customers in the same area.

Even under the above conditions, there will be no change in
tariff for the most vulnerable as tariffs for those consuming 50KW
or less remain frozen. Customers receiving less than 12 hours of
supply will also not experience any change in tariffs.

In addition, the President has directed that there should be a
nationwide mass-metering program in an effort by the Federal
Government to put a stop to estimated and arbitrary billing for
electricity. He has also approved a waiver of the import levy on
meters, so that those that do not have meters can be supplied as
early as possible at reasonable costs.

The general public and all stakeholders in the power sector are
by this statement urged to disregard any reports of an arbitrary
tariff increase affecting Nigerians.

James. A. Momoh Chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory
Commission

Read more https://swordpress.com.ng/2020/08/27/no-increase-in-electricity-tariff-for-poor-nigerians-nerc/