An Abuja-based energy consultant, Engineer Dikedinigbo Ejike, has advised the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to review and approve the tariffs of all 12 electricity distribution companies (DisCos) simultaneously to continue to enjoy the confidence of all Nigerians as a transparent and impartial regulator.

Ejike, during a session in Abuja pointed out that the disparity in the system of approval, noting that the NERC approved for Aba Power, Nigeria’s 12th DisCo, on December 30, 2024, but to take effect from January 2, 2025. Meanwhile, the commission had April 3, 2024 approved a 300 per cent tariff increase for Band A customers in the other 11 DisCos who received a minimum of 22 hours of electricity daily from N66 per kilowatt hour (kWh) to N225 kWh, though, it was later slashed to N209kWh.

He said: “Approval to Aba Power to adjust its tariff from N117kWh by 50 per cent for Band A customers only eight months later.

“No reason has been given officially for the two disparities in time and tariff”, observed Dike, a mechanical engineer who consults on both traditional and alternative sources of energy.

“NERC has run professionally for most of its years of existence, and so should not give the impression that it favours some electricity companies more than others.”

He said that since Aba Power and the other DisCos operate in the same economic environment and under the same “law, rules and regulations.”