The National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has emphasized that approval must be sought from the commission before any electricity distribution company (Disco) can implement tariff increases. Usman Abba Arabi, the spokesperson for NERC, conveyed this information in a conversation with a correspondent from The PUNCH on Tuesday.
Amidst media reports suggesting that Discos were planning to raise electricity tariffs in the coming year, Arabi clarified that the commission had not sanctioned any new tariffs for any Disco within the Nigerian electricity supply industry.
He stated, “No new electricity tariff has been approved. Nigerians should ignore any news reports about new electricity tariff coming up on the 1st January 2024.”
Despite NERC’s assertion that there were no plans to raise tariffs, some Nigerians on social media expressed skepticism, suggesting that Discos might not wait for the commission’s approval before implementing new tariffs. Reports surfaced of individuals observing an increase in their electricity payments recently.
Inusa Mani, a Facebook user, mentioned that individuals purchasing electric units in Kaduna were already experiencing higher rates, questioning NERC’s effectiveness. Another resident, Vito Jean from Ibadan, claimed that the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company had been charging exorbitant amounts for a modest household’s electricity consumption.
Addressing the concerns of Nigerians regarding potential unauthorized tariff increases by Discos, Arabi reiterated, “DisCos are not allowed to charge any electricity tariff without the approval of NERC.”