Nigerians are venting their frustration after the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announced an increase in electricity tariffs for customers.
The hike, effective April 3, jumps from N68 per kilowatt-hour to N225.
NERC’s Vice Chairman, Musiliu Oseni, said only electricity customers in Band A would be affected by the increase.
Band A customers are guaranteed an average daily supply of 20 hours of electricity but users within the classification claim that they do not enjoy that duration of electricity supply.
Oseni noted that the increase would not affect Bands B, C, D, and E while noting that the number of customers previously on Band A has been reduced.
However, many Nigerians are expressing their frustration with the sudden price hike and questioning the logic behind it.
Joe Abah, a former director-general of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR), criticised how the policy was implemented without consultation and described it as “bizarre.”
The way we make policy in Nigeria is bizarre. How do you just hike a tariff by 300% overnight? Couldn’t they have consulted the minority said to be getting 20 hours light a day and phased it in over time? Na waa!
| Why we hiked electricity tariff – NERC – https://t.co/D0pSP784Fs— Dr Joe Abah, OON (@DrJoeAbah) April 4, 2024
A former Kaduna Central Senator, Shehu Sani, also raised concerns over a perceived class system in electricity access and urged Nigerians to find their class.
Nigerians are categorised into classes;’Band A’ Class will get 20 hours of electricity…You better find out which band you be.
— Senator Shehu Sani (@ShehuSani) April 4, 2024
Many other Nigerians on X are angered by the sudden hike. Many are calling for a reversal of the tariff hike.
The most foolish thing this government has done since coming to office is subsidizing the Hajj pilgrimage with over N90 billion naira while removing fuel subsidies and increasing electricity tariffs.
— Sarki. (@Waspapping_) April 4, 2024
If I'm guaranteed 24 hour electricity, I'll do all I can to pay for it because 24hrs of uninterrupted electricity is cheaper that 5 hours of light powered by diesel!
— Ayekooto (@DeeOneAyekooto) April 3, 2024
An X users urged the government to impose penalties for DisCos not supply up to 20 hours electricity to customers in the Band A class.
“If I’m guaranteed 24 hour electricity, I’ll do all I can to pay for it because 24hrs of uninterrupted electricity is cheaper that 5 hours of light powered by diesel!”
The fairness of the band system was also questioned by another who said it is absurd that this policy started with the exploitive band-basis tariff and called for consumption-based pricing rather than location-based pricing.
The absurdity of this policy started with the exploitive band basses tariff. Why should anyone pay more because of location? You should pay more if you consumed more. If they want to increase revenue, they should improve supply and billing efficiency https://t.co/TgI1rnQnbF
— Mr. 'Dipo (@edoyakulo) April 4, 2024
Lanre Olupona propose consumer choice in selecting their electricity band based on the actual supply received.
I wish consumers could choose their preferred band themselves. Once I stop getting supply for the said duration for a band, I move myself to a lower band that is reflective of the duration of supply that I get.
— LANRE OLUPONA (@lanreolupona) April 4, 2024
Another user alleged that the electricity commission just “wants the money” without “providing the service” after expressing concerns that the increased price will consume prepaid units faster, especially with an inconsistent power supply.
I got 20k worth of unit in January. It just finished end of March. Cos there was no light. Note they are hiking the tariff. Meaning the little light they give consumers the 20k faster. These people just want the money without providing the service.
— SARUMI OF LAGOS🦁 (@cnslr_oladipo_3) April 4, 2024
The very concept of “bands” was also questioned by another user who asked whether the Nigerisa system was designed to fail.
The Nigerian said it is a shame for the government to categorise the supply of electricity by “nonsense bands”, adding that every paying customer should have the same access to a stable/steady power supply.
Is it not a shame to us that we are now categorizing the supply of electricity by nonsense band. When every paying customers should have the same access to a stable/steady power supply. Why is it so difficult to achieve? Atimes, one wonder whether the system was designed to fail.
— Al-Hilal (@Nulex_y) April 4, 2024
