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‘Why NERC, Discos can’t reverse new electricity tariff’

By Emeka Anuforo, Abuja
07 March 2016   |   3:05 am
Even if a court issues an order today directing the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to either suspend or reverse the new electricity tariff...

electricity

Even if a court issues an order today directing the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to either suspend or reverse the new electricity tariff, such judiciary pronouncement may not be immediately effective, The Guardian has learnt.

According to top government sources, the commission is yet to reconstituted since the expiration of former Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, and other Commissioners.

Consequently, it can’t take any decision that is legally binding, an official stressed.

The NERC is currently run by an acting Chief Executive Officer instead of a chairman and commissioners as stipulated by the Electricity Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act 2005.

The agency is an independent body, established by the Act, to undertake technical and economic regulation of the nation’s electricity supply industry.

The commission is empowered to, among others, license operators, determine operating codes and standards, establish customer rights and obligations as well as set cost reflective tariffs in the industry.

Even the recent order by the Senate order asking for the suspension of the tariff was purely advisory and does not carry the weight of enforcement, officials explained.

Though presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, has denied that the presidency had any role to play in the reversal the tariff, The Guardian investigations however, revealed that he may have been economical with the truth.

The Guardian learnt that government’s action in appointing a chairman and commissioners for NERC would be a first step towards resolving the agitations of Nigerians over the new tariff.

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