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DisCos implement new tariffs

By Kehinde Olatunji
02 September 2020   |   4:11 am
Electricity distribution companies (DisCos) across the country, yesterday, began the implementation of a new tariff regime.

Electricity distribution companies (DisCos) across the country, yesterday, began the implementation of a new tariff regime.

In a statement issued yesterday, the distribution companies notified their customers of the commencement of the new charges.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had directed the DisCos to maintain a N4 tariff for all customers consuming less than 50kWh of energy per month. NERC said the tariff reviews would only follow service-based principles and prior consultation with customers.

Chairman of NERC, James Momoh, said that under these service-based principles, DisCos would only be able to increase tariff when they consult with customers and commit to increasing the number of hours of supply per day and quality of service.

“In all cases, poor and vulnerable Nigerians will not experience any increase. In line with these expectations, DisCos are directed to engage with their customers on a service-based tariff structure.”

In separate statements on Monday, some of the DisCos said they would commence the implementation of the new tariff on Tuesday (yesterday), but the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) said it had commenced implementation across its franchise area.

The General Manager, Corporate Communications of AEDC, Oyebode Fadipe, said the increment would result in longer hours of power supply.

“The Service Reflective Tariff (SRT) plan is a NERC-mandated tariff structure whereby an upward increment in tariffs will result in substantially longer hours of power supply, good quality voltage profile, swifter response to faults clearing and provision of pre-paid meters.

“The new tariff design proposes an upwardly adjusted tariff for customers who are not averse to paying more to enjoy longer hours of supply, standard voltage profile and faster fault clearance timelines.

“While we keep working at ensuring all classes of customers enjoy improved supply, customers who enjoy less than 12 hours of supply will not be affected by the new tariff plan. Hours of supply to this class of customers will also not be adversely affected by the implementation of the plan.”

Also, the Ikeja Electric, in its statement, said there would be a deferment of the new tariff for customers who enjoy less than 12 hours power supply daily over a period of one month.

“This review is critical to provide more efficient and reliable service to customers, upgrade aging infrastructure and be more responsive to the complaints of our customers,” the company said.

The new tariff regime started yesterday. There are expectations that it will be reviewed on a quarterly basis.
Last week, President Muhammadu Buhari ordered mass metering of consumers across the country.

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