In a decisive move, the House of Representatives has ordered the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Distribution Companies (DisCos) to reverse the recent hike in Band A electricity tariffs. The directive was issued in response to growing public outcry over the increased costs and its impact on Nigerian households.
During a plenary session on Wednesday, lawmakers expressed concerns that the tariff hike was implemented without adequate consultation with consumers and consideration of the prevailing economic conditions. The resolution to revert the tariff was passed unanimously, reflecting the broad consensus among the legislators about the need to alleviate the financial burden on citizens.
Hon. Ahmed Wase, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, emphasized the need for regulatory bodies to consider the economic realities faced by Nigerians. “We must ensure that any adjustments to electricity tariffs are made with full transparency and in consultation with the people who will be most affected by these changes,” Wase stated.
The tariff increases for Band A customers, who are typically the highest consumers of electricity, has been a contentious issue. Many consumers have reported significantly higher electricity bills, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and protests.
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The House called on NERC and the DisCos to immediately halt the implementation of the new tariffs and revert to the previous rates. The lawmakers also urged NERC to undertake a comprehensive review of the tariff structure, ensuring that any future changes are fair, transparent, and justifiable.
In response to the directive, NERC and the DisCos have been given a two-week deadline to comply with the House’s order. Failure to do so could result in further legislative actions, including possible sanctions.
This development marks a significant intervention by the House of Representatives in the regulation of electricity tariffs, highlighting the ongoing struggle to balance the financial viability of the power sector with the need to protect consumers from excessive charges.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes will be on NERC and the DisCos to see how they respond to the House’s directive and whether the tariff hike will indeed be reversed, providing some relief to the millions of Nigerians affected by the increase.
