Consumers now have right to negotiate electricity tariff

Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Dr. Sam Amadi, has stated that electricity distribution companies cannot unilaterally increase tariff on electricity supply without full consultations with the consumers.

He said no distribution company had the power to effect tariff review on their network without presenting a detailed consultation paper with contributions from household, industrial and institutional customers.

According to him, any power firm that expresses intention to review its tariff without engaging the customers will have its proposal turned down by the commission.

Amadi explained, “Henceforth, Discos are expected to submit full reports to NERC. In the report, they are expected to indicate what they intend to do; and this must be supported with the views of the different customers under their networks.

“The consultation paper defines what their energy plans are. This may not be for the purpose of reviewing tariff.”

He said the public consultation would take two to three weeks, and the outcome of such consultations must be uploaded to the websites of the Discos.

According to him, there must be clear announcements in the media for such forums so that customers are carried along.

Meanwhile, electricity consumers in Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Bayelsa states may pay more for power consumed following an announcement on Monday by the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company that it was proposing a review of the tariff.

The Manager, Corporate Communications, PHED, Mr. Jonah Iboma, said the proposal for a review of the tariff was based on the directive by NERC to the electricity distribution companies to charge what they considered fair for their sustenance.

Iboma said in the statement that NERC had directed the Discos to meet with the customers with a view to informing them about the need to review the tariff as a result of the challenges in the industry.

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