By Chineme Okafor and Nnenna Akuma in Abuja
Top electricity consumers in Nigeria comprising the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigeria Electricity Consumers Advocacy Network (NECAN), and Hotel Owners Forum Abuja (HOFA) on Monday roundly rejected a proposal by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to review electricity tariff in the country on a monthly basis.
The consumers, who were unanimous in their rejection of the proposal, said at a stakeholders’ consultation organised by NERC in Abuja to discuss the possibility of a monthly minor review tariffs that review of tariff should either be done annually or be left to remain bi-annual as it is now.
Also, an analysis of comments received by NERC from consumers on the tariff review frequency, indicated that most consumer groups rejected a higher review frequency.
NECAN in its submission noted that any increase in the review frequency would greatly affect electricity consumers, while MAN noted that the monthly or quarterly review and implementation of the tariff would be detrimental to the manufacturing sector.
The Chairman of NECAN, Tomi Akingbogun, said the last tariff review resulted in over 95 per cent rise and urged the federal government to protect the interest of electricity consumers, as well as requesting the NERC to ensure that customer enumeration and adequate metering is done by electricity distribution companies (Discos) before implementing any tariff review.
Details later…
