PUNCH
Power consumers, on Saturday, expressed relief after it was confirmed that electricity distribution companies had not implemented the proposed hike in the tariff payable for electricity nationwide.
Some power distribution firms had announced on Sunday, June 25, 2023, that there would be a hike in tariff from July 1, 2023.
The Discos, however, backtracked the next day after widespread criticism, as they stated that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission had yet to approve the proposed hike.
But the development caused apprehension among power consumers as many prepaid consumers rushed to buy more units in their meters, while anticipating a possible hike in tariff.
It was, however, observed on Saturday, being July 1, 2023, that the Discos did not raise the tariff.
Findings by our correspondent showed that the tariff for power users on Band A, for instance, which stood at N68/kilowatt-hour as of Tuesday, June 27, 2023, remained the same on Saturday.
The halt in the tariff hike was also confirmed by some residents of the Federal Capital Territory, as they expressed relief over the development.
“It’s a huge relief for many of us, because it would have been terrible if they (Discos) had increased the tariff by 40 per cent as they earlier proposed,” Innocent Utulu, who resides in Kubwa, FCT, stated.
Another resident, Gbemisola Kenny, said, “Many people are finding it tough to cope with the over 150 per cent rise in petrol price, and they want to add another 40 per cent increase in electricity tariff? That would have been economically disastrous if it was implemented.”
NCPN foresees quiet hike
The President, Nigeria Consumer Protection Network, and coordinator, Power Sector Perspectives, Kunle Olubiyo, confirmed the halt in the proposed tariff hike by the Discos, but told our correspondent that it might be raised quietly in the near future.
He stated, “Tariff adjustments happen every six months. However, most of us just concluded that the six months was supposed to end on June 30, 2023, and that with effect from July 1, there might be an upward review.
“However, that is not sacrosanct; there is nothing in the books that says it has to be July 1. But, of course, in this month of July, somewhere along the line before this month ends, you may load credit and notice some adjustment.
“We have seen that in the past. There was supposed to be an increase in September 2020, it didn’t come immediately. But between December 2020 and January 2021, the increase was made quietly that now brought the rate for Band A from N24/kwh to N56/kwh, before it was quietly raised again to N68/kwh.”
