Consumers Condemn Electricity Tariff Hike As DisCos Make N296bn in three months

Consumers of electricity across the country have condemned the increase in electricity tariffs by power distribution companies (Discos) without making it public despite harsh economic realities in the country.

According to a recent report, electricity distribution companies had quietly increased the tariff payable by power consumers across the country.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) reported that power distribution companies raked in about N296bn as electricity bills from customers in the first quarter of 2022,

According to Punch, the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, which confirmed the tariff hike while responding to a Twitter user on Wednesday, explained that it was based on the order of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

“Good day, please be informed that the increase in tariff is in compliance with NERC order,” the Disco stated.

Speaking on the issue, the National Secretary of Nigeria Electricity Consumer Advocacy Network, Uket Obonga, corroborated the professor’s position, as he insisted that the tariff hike was illegal.

He said, “Sorry about what I said about the tariff hike yesterday. I cross-checked the extant MYTO 2020 for AEDC to find out that the hike is not in line with the MYTO. It is not supposed to be so.

“The statement from AEDC revealed that NERC has reviewed MYTO 2020 without following due process, therefore the hike is illegal. It is stated clearly that the provisions MYTO 2020 shall remain in force until it is reviewed or amended by another order. And that order is a MYTO order.

“They don’t sit in their office to amend or review the MYTO without following due process. MYTO is a law and it takes a process to review; you have to hold consultations with stakeholders and give reasons for the review and it will then be gazetted.”

Obonga added, “So I’m surprised that NERC officials will just sit in their office and carry out such a review. And this is not the first time they are doing that. There was a time a Disco told us that the NERC gave the Disco verbal instruction to go and increase tariffs.