Electricity Consumers Enjoying a Minimum of 20 Hours of Power Supply Daily, To Pay Higher Tariff
Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)has approved an increase in electricity tariff by consumers on the ‘band a’ classification.
Tariff of those on ‘band a’ has been increased from N66 per kilowatts hour to N225.
The Commission’s Vice Chairman, Musilu Oseni announcing the increase tariff on Wednesday in Abuja said, it does not affect customers on other band classifications.
Consumers on ‘band a’ are those enjoying at least 20 hours of electricity supply daily, who represents 15 per cent of 12 million electricity customers.
The affected electricity consumers, who enjoy a minimum of 20 hours of electricity supply per day, will now face increased tariffs, the regulatory official said.
This adjustment is part of the government’s efforts to streamline costs and optimise resource allocation in the electricity sector.
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The announcement has sparked mixed reactions among Nigerians, with some expressing concerns about the potential impact on household budgets, particularly in the face of existing economic challenges.
In an interview, local agribusiness owner Emmanuel Itoro told Xinhua that the move would have “a harsh” impact on households, businesses and industries, potentially leading to increased operational costs and living expenses.
However, others view it as a necessary step toward achieving sustainable development and improving the reliability of electricity supply nationwide.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has long struggled with electricity supply challenges, including insufficient generation capacity and distribution inefficiencies.
While the government aims to address these issues, the tariff hike represents a bold step in the ongoing efforts to reform the country’s energy sector, Oseni said.
He added that the tariff adjustment was necessary to achieve a more sustainable and economically viable electricity sector, urging citizens to bear the temporary financial strain for long-term benefits.
