No directive to hike electricity tariff January 1 – Discos

Some power distribution companies in the country have refuted allegations that they want to raise electricity tariffs starting today, January 1, 2024.

According to them, there is no such instruction from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

The Head, Corporate Communications, Jos Electricity Distribution Company, Adekole Elijah, told Punch; “We have not received any directive or order on that. I have also heard about the rumour, but it has not been confirmed. So at this moment, I am not aware of any such moves to hike electricity tariffs.

“I also read the claim in one of the dailies that there may be a tariff increase starting from tomorrow, but I’ve not received any correspondence to that effect. If there is a directive we cannot do it secretly, for once there is an increase everybody will know.

“So right now it is still a rumour, no order from the government or NERC directing us to commence or effect any tariff hike. At least till this minute that I’m speaking with you there’s no such directive.”

If certain Discos were considering hiking their charges from January 1, 2024, Emeka Ezeh, the Head of Communications at Enugu Electricity Distribution Company, said such a plan would not materialise if the regulator did not sanction it.

Ezeh said; “There is no directive from NERC on that. Before such a thing would happen there has to be a directive from NERC, which is normally issued as a regulatory order in that regard.

“But as we speak, I’ve not seen any order or received any directive on tariff hike. That is the position. And even if a Disco is contemplating a hike in tariff, if NERC does not approve, it doesn’t happen.

“Also, before it is implemented, there has to be an approval issued by NERC giving that directive. So that is the position. As we speak there is no order from NERC and as a result, there is no hike in tariff.

“Even if we Discos wish to increase the tariff from here to wherever, as long as there is no order from NERC to that effect, it won’t happen. So that is the truth of the matter. Until an order is issued by NERC, what you heard is still just a rumour.”

An NERC official also stated that the commission had not issued any orders on tariff increases, but that small tariff reviews were often held every six months.