Sanusi Garba: NERC ramping up solar generation to crash electricity tariff

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) says it is investing in solar energy to crash electricity tariff in the country. 

Sanusi Garba, NERC chair, said this on Monday when members of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and other affiliate unions, picketed NERC offices nationwide over the hike in electricity tariff.

On April 3, NERC approved an increase in electricity tariff for Band A customers, from N66 to N225 per kwh.

During the picketing in Abuja, members of the unions asked NERC to reverse the hike and return to the negotiation table.

In his response, Garba said plans to make electricity tariff affordable are underway.

“On behalf of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), I want to welcome the comrades who have come here on a very peaceful demonstration in respect to the issues affecting the power sector,” Garba said.

“We have taken input from what has been said relating to the affordability of tariffs that have been issued by the commission.

“We have listened to you and the concerns of Nigerians and we will make adequate case and representation to the policy side on the issue of affordability of tariffs.

“We also note very clearly what comrade Ajaero (NLC president) mentioned about diversification and energy sources. I am glad to say that the new Zungeru 700 megawatts power plant is already online, generating over 600 megawatts.

“We are also making a lot of effort to ramp up solar generation in such a manner that tariffs can begin to come down.

“I also note that he made remarks about the banks sitting on the boards of distribution companies. The commission had earlier given deadlines to all the banks to move their shares and exit from distribution companies because we want proper co-investors sitting on the boards of these companies.

“All the points you have made are very clear and apt. We thank you for the contributions and we will go back to the drawing board and see what we can do about the concerns.”

Garba added that NERC frowns at estimated billing and sharp practices from the distribution companies (DisCos).

“The commission has issued a number of orders on tracking estimated bills by all the DisCos, limiting how much they can bill you,” he said.

“But I think the better news for Nigerian consumers is that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the probation metering initiative, giving deadlines to meter all customers in Nigeria.

“Any DisCo that tells you to buy meter, report to the commission. Any distribution company that bills you above the cost issued by the commission, report to any of our offices.”

The chairman added that the commission is working with stakeholders to ensure that all customers who paid for prepaid meters are supplied.

Despite the chairman’s appeal, the protesters repeatedly belted: “No! No! Reverse it… reverse electricity tariff hike. You must reverse it.”