In a swift response to circulating reports, power distribution companies have refuted claims of an impending electricity tariff hike starting from today, January 1, 2024. Denying the alleged plans, the companies asserted that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has not issued any directive regarding such adjustments.
Earlier reports, not verified by The PUNCH, suggested that power distribution companies were contemplating raising electricity tariffs, a development neither confirmed by NERC nor the Federal Ministry of Power. When sought for clarification, three distribution companies, as well as officials from NERC, dismissed the speculation.
Adekole Elijah, Head of Corporate Communications at Jos Electricity Distribution Company, stated, “We have not received any directive or order on that. I have also heard about the rumour, but it has not been confirmed.” He emphasized that without a government or NERC directive, no tariff hike would be implemented.
Emeka Ezeh, Head of Communications at Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting that no directive from NERC had been received. He emphasized the necessity of regulatory approval for any tariff adjustments and assured that without it, no tariff increase would take place.
An unnamed NERC official affirmed that the commission had not issued any order on tariff hike, emphasizing the lack of confirmation regarding the reported claims.
It is noteworthy that Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, had previously stated in November 2023 that President Bola Tinubu halted the implementation of an electricity tariff hike. Adelabu explained that President Tinubu insisted on subsidizing power consumption nationwide until regular and incremental power supply was achieved.
As the situation unfolds, power distribution companies maintain that they await official directives from NERC before considering any adjustments to electricity tariffs. The PUNCH had earlier reported on December 18, 2023, that the Federal Government spent N375.8 billion on electricity subsidy between January and September 2023.