In a significant development, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has sanctioned an increase in electricity tariffs specifically targeting customers classified under Band A. The announcement came on Wednesday during a press conference held in Abuja, where the Vice Chairman of NERC, Musliu Oseni, revealed the details of the tariff adjustment.
According to Oseni, customers falling under Band A classification, who currently enjoy uninterrupted electricity supply for 20-24 hours daily, will now be required to pay N225 per kilowatt-hour (KW/h), a significant increase from the previous rate of N66.
It’s noteworthy that NERC categorizes electricity consumers into different bands based on the average number of hours of electricity supply they receive daily. Band B subscribers, for instance, enjoy 16 to 20 hours of electricity, while those in Band C receive 12 to 16 hours daily. Band D customers benefit from eight to 12 hours of electricity, and Band E subscribers receive the least, with only four to eight hours of electricity consumption daily.
Oseni clarified that the tariff adjustment exclusively applies to Band A customers, who represent approximately 15% of the total 12 million electricity consumers nationwide, translating to roughly 1.8 million subscribers. Importantly, he assured that customers falling under other bands would not be affected by this tariff revision.
This decision by NERC signals a significant change in electricity pricing strategy, aiming to address operational costs and ensure sustainability in the power sector. However, it also raises concerns among affected customers regarding the affordability and accessibility of electricity, prompting further discussions on the implications of such tariff adjustments on consumers’ livelihoods.
