CITIZENS COMPASS —Amidst dwindling power supply, the Federal Government of Nigeria has given approval to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to increase electricity tariff for customers under the Band A classification.
NERC Vice Chairman, Musliu Oseni, said with the increment, customers will pay ₦225 kilowatt per hour from the current ₦66.
It was learned that customers under Band A are those who enjoy 20 hours of electricity supply daily.
He disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.
Oseni said customers in Band A represent a 15 per cent of the 12m electricity customers in the country.
He added that the Commission had also downgraded some customers on Band A to Band B due to non-fulfilment of the required hours of electricity provided by the electricity distribution company.
According to him, “We currently have 800 feeders that are categorised as Band A, but it will now be reduced to under 500. This means that 17 per cent now qualify as Band A feeders. These feeders only service 15 per cent of total electricity customers connected to the feeders.
“The commission has issued an order which is titled April supplementary order and the commission allows a 235 kilowatt per hour.”
He added that the review will not affect customers on the other Bands.
Citing sources, Bloomberg had on Tuesday reported that power companies will be allowed to raise electricity prices to N200 ($0.15) per kilowatt-hour from N68 for urban consumers.
It quoted people in the presidency with knowledge of the matter saying this was in a bid to attract new investment and slash about $2.3 billion spent to cap tariffs.
According to the news agency, “Nigerians will now have to pay $2.42 per one million British thermal units from the previous rate of $2.18 MMBtu.”
The development comes amid Monday’s announcement by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroapproveduthority of an increase in the price of natural gas, which is used to generate tariffs more than 70 per cent of electricity in Nigeria.
Details on Consumers Service Bands and duration of electricity supply.
Band A: 20 to 24 Hours supply
Band B: 16 to 20 Hours supply
Band C: 12 to 16 Hours supply
Band D: 8 to 12 Hours supply
Band E: 4 to 8 Hours supply
To which band do you belong
