The Nigerian House of Representatives has directed the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to halt the implementation of the recently approved electricity tariff hike. This decision came following the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance led by Nkemkanma Kama, a lawmaker representing Ebonyi state under the Labour Party (LP).
NERC’s approval of the tariff increase on April 3 triggered widespread concerns, particularly among customers in Band A, who were slated to experience a substantial rise from N66 to N225 per kilowatt-hour, despite receiving 20 hours of electricity daily.
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During a recent hearing at the Senate Committee on Power, Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, defended the tariff hike, citing the government’s inability to sustain power subsidies. Adelabu emphasized that to revitalize the sector, an annual investment of $10 billion over the next decade is imperative for infrastructural stability. However, he acknowledged the government’s financial constraints in meeting this requirement.
Adelabu also highlighted the positive impact of the tariff increase on attracting more investors to the electricity sector, particularly benefiting Band A customers.
The House of Representatives’ directive reflects a response to public outcry and underscores the complex challenges facing Nigeria’s energy landscape. Stay tuned for further developments as stakeholders continue to navigate these issues.
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