Reps asks NERC to suspend implementation of new electricity tariff

The house of representatives has asked the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to suspend the implementation of the new tariff.

The lower legislative chamber passed the resolution during plenary session on Tuesday, following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance.

The motion was sponsored by Nkemkanma Kama, a Labour Party (LP) lawmaker from Enonyi state.

On April 3, NERC approved an increase in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A classification.

The commission said customers under the category, who receive 20 hours of electricity supply daily, would begin to pay N225 per kilowatt (kW), starting from April 3 — up from N66.

Defending the tariff hike before the senate committee on power on Monday, Adebayo Adelabu, minister of power, said the federal government could not afford to pay subsidies on power anymore.

He said for the sector to be revived, the government needs to spend about $10 billion annually in the next 10 years.

“This is because of the infrastructure requirement for the stability of the sector, but the government cannot afford that,” the minister had said.

Adelabu said investors are now showing interest in the electricity sector because of the increased electricity tariff for Band A customers.