NERC denies 49% increase in electricity tariffs next month                

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), at the weekend, denied reports of a 49.9 percent increase in electricity tariffs next month (November), saying it was still reviewing details of applications it had received from electricity distribution companies (Discos) calling for upward tariff adjustments.

It has been reported that the Discos are proposing to NERC an average increase of 49.4 percent in electricity tariffs for residential customers. The reports say they are also proposing a hike in the rates payable by commercial consumers by an average of 21 percent. “Against the backdrop of news items making the round, especially with the online media speculating on the range of increase in electricity tariff, it is preposterous to speculate on the range of increase or the tendency in electricity tariff at this stage,” said Sam Amadi, chairman of NERC.

The Commission also said it was scrutinising reports on the outcome of public consultations with electricity consumers and electricity distribution companies.

According to the NERC chairman, “most of the news items are in the realm of speculative journalism. The final figure is not clear to anyone as some of the distribution companies are still providing clarifications sought by the Commission’s technical team working on their applications. Some of them are also making corrections to their applications on the basis of those clarifications.

“It is at the end of the ongoing review exercise to be concluded in a few weeks time that the figures of increase or decrease would be made clearer to anyone.”

The Commission will not allow any frivolous claim by the operators to be passed to electricity consumers as tariff, he said, saying it is the reason why the Commission mandated them to consult with their customers after submitting their tariff review applications.