NERC halts electricity tariff hike for two weeks

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed the 11 Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to suspend the Sept. 1 tariff increase for 14 days. The commission’s suspension directive of the Multi Year Tariff  Order (MYTO) 2020 signed by Prof James Momoh, NERC’s Chairman, was released on its web site on Wednesday. NERC suspension followed a joint communique issued by the Federal Government and the labour unions. The Federal Government agreed that the recent review in electricity tariffs would be suspended by the commission for a period of 14 days to further consultations and finalisation of negotiations between the parties.

The directive by NERC said that from Sept. 28  to Oct. 11 the DisCos must revert all charges to the tariff existing as of Aug. 31. “This means that  for the next two weeks, electricity consumers having power above 12 hours who were affected by the over 100 per cent tariff hike would revert to their old charges. It said as empowered by Section 33 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, EPSRA 2005, the Minister of Power, Engr. Sale Mamman can issue such directive to NERC. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha and Mamman were among the team that had meeting with the labour unions. (NAN)