THE NATION
A massive rush by electricity consumers to recharge their accounts ahead of the alleged planned hike in tariffs has sent the various platforms of the Distribution Companies (DisCos) into a gridlock, according to reports from across the country.
Although speculations had put today as the beginning of the planned tariff regime, the DisCos said they were yet to receive the go ahead to that effect from the industry regulator, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), at press time last night.
But that has not stopped consumers from besieging the payment counters and platforms of the DisCos for the purchase of token to recharge their electricity accounts.
Consumers told The Nation the difficulties they have been facing for some days now in their bids to recharge on the various platforms of the DisCos since the speculation of increase in tariff became an issue.
Some insinuated that the DisCos were tampering with their network to force through the hike.
An Ikeja Electric (IE) customer in Ojodu, Ibukun Olaoluwa, said for five days there has been network challenge to load the electricity token he hurriedly purchased ahead of today’s planned increase.
An Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) customer, Victor Umeh, said: “It is frustrating. I planned to recharge ahead of tomorrow’s (today) planned hike, but the purchasing platform has been challenging.”
The confusion sparked by the development is not helped by conflicting statements from the distribution companies (DisCos).
For instance, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) announced on Sunday a tariff increase on the strength of the floating of the foreign exchange only to backtrack 18 hours later.
It said in the first public announcement: “Effective July 1st, 2023, please be informed that there will be an upward review to the electricity tariff influenced by the fluctuating exchange rate.
“Under the MYTO 2022 guidelines, the previously set exchange rate of N441/$1 may now be revised to approximately N750/$1 which will have an impact on the tariffs associated with your electricity consumption.
“For customers within band B and C, with supply hours ranging from 12 to 16 per day, the new base tariff is expected to be N100 per kWh while Bands A with (20 hours and above) and B (16 to 20 hours) will experience comparatively higher tariffs.
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