The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has assured that customers not currently enjoying 20 hours of electricity would not pay the new tariff.
He made this statement on Monday during a one-day investigative hearing before the Senate Committee on Power, addressing the proposed increase in electricity tariff by eleven successor electricity distribution companies.
Adelabu emphasised the government’s commitment to saving the drowning sector and assured Nigerians that the pains from the new policy were temporary. He stated, “The government is concerned and has introduced the new policy to rescue the sector.”
In response to the recent increase in tariffs by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Minister revealed that the Federal Government would pay ₦2.9trn to subsidize electricity this year if the tariff was not reviewed.
During the hearing, Chairman of the committee, Senator Eyinnnaya Abaribe, raised questions about the migration of customers from previous customer classes and the band classification under the provisions of the law.
He also highlighted the need for non-discriminatory distribution as per the act.
The recent increase in electricity tariffs for consumers in the Band A category by NERC has sparked concerns. The commission raised the tariff paid by Band A customers from N68/KWh to N225/kWh, affecting those receiving 20-24 hours of electricity supply daily.
