Court decision against increase in electricity tariff receives applause

Some experts in the power sector on Friday lauded the court order restraining the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) from increasing electricity tariff.

They told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that it was an indication that democracy was at work and that the goals of the sector were realisable.

The Federal High Court in Lagos on July 23, renewed the restraining order stopping the NERC from increasing electricity tariff.

Justice Mohammed Idris renewed the order after striking out the NERC’s preliminary objection and application to nullify the order.

A lawyer and activist, Toluwani Adebiyi, is seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the NERC from implementing any upward review of electricity tariff, without a significant improvement in national power supply to a minimum of 18 hours daily.

The judge struck out the NERC’s objection to the suit because it did not comply with Order 29 (Rule 4) of the court’s Civil Procedure Rules.

Adekunle Makinde, the immediate-past chairman of the Nigeria Institution of Electrical/ Electronics Engineers (NIEEE), said it was a plus for the government.

“This is a new development in the power sector; before now, you cannot sue PHCN or NEPA for disconnection but since its privatisation, it is now possible. This is democracy at work; there is no justification for the increment.

“We are paying for the supply that is not available, so the order is another plus for the government,” he said.

Yomi Kolawole, managing director, Topean Energy Solutions, said the government should remove the monthly fixed charge of N750 from consumers’ bills, saying it was tantamount to daylight robbery, as power supply was not regular.

Abdul-Rasak Osho, chairman, Iponri Housing Estate Residents Association, said the order would make distribution companies to put in more efforts in ensuring regular supply to their consumers.