Reps Ask NERC To Suspend Planned Electricity Tariff Hike

House of Representatives

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has been urged by the House of Representatives to suspend the planned electricity tariff hike.

The lawmakers decried the exploitation of Nigerians by electricity distribution companies.

The resolution followed a motion moved by Aniekan Umanah on Thursday during plenary.

According to the lawmaker, the hike is planned for 1 June, 2021.

Umanah lamented the lack of electricity despite the periodic increment in electricity tariffs.

“Despite those increases, Nigerians have not enjoyed significant improvement in power generation, instead they daily grapple with epileptic services from the DISCOs and unilateral exploitation in the name of estimated billing arising from non- metering of over 50% of consumers.”

He said Discos have increased electricity 5 times since 2015.

The lawmaker said the suspension of the planned tariff becomes imperative in the face of rising insecurity, unemployment, and the impact of COVID-19.

Following the adoption of the motion, the House, therefore, mandated the committees on Power, Poverty Alleviation and Labour, Employment and Productivity to ensure compliance.