VC decries high electricity bills as DisCo puts Enugu varsity in Band A

Godfrey Okoye University (GOUni) in Enugu has decried the placement of the university in the electricity Band A.

In April, the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) raised the rate for the Band A tariff class from N66 to N225 per kwh.

Customers under the Band A category are expected to have a minimum of 20 hours of electricity in a day.

Band B category is 16 hours, Band C is 12 hours, Band D is eight hours, and Band E is four hours.

The tariff hike attracted public outcry and calls for its reversal, with many communities raising concerns about affordability.

Christian Anieke, the vice-chancellor of GOUni, said the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) placed the campus on Band A.

He addressed the institution’s campus while unveiling plans for the 2024/2025 academic session which commenced on Friday.

The VC said the billing of GOUni on the electricity tariff class is “ridiculous” and excessive.

“It is only in Nigeria that you see things like this; billing a university like a business entity,” he added.

Anieke said the university is looking to install solar lights in all the student hostels.

He said the institution would boost its internally generated revenue (IGR) through research, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

Anieke said each department in the university must show evidence of IGR without additional payment by the students.

The VC directed all faculties and departments to double efforts to generate funds through research, grants, and alumni collaboration.