There are indications that despite the pronouncement of the suspension of the new tariff by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, on Tuesday, the directive has not been implemented as bills paid yesterday to the Nigeria Electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs, remained at the new rate.
Recall that the regulator had approved the hike in tariff which kicked off on September 1, 2020, but under the pressure from the organized labour union, an interim reversal was ordered earlier in the week by the government.
Vanguard gathered that customers, who had recharged their prepaid meter across the country yesterday, were forced to pay the new cost-reflective tariff issued on September 1, 2020. The DISCOs, who confirmed this situation, said the directive was given on Tuesday and modalities for the implementation would need time.
They noted that such was not applicable to postpaid meter customers who are been served bills for August which carried the old rate and not September.
A statement by NERC noted that the suspension was issued on Tuesday, September 29, stressing that it had officially suspended the electricity tariff hike.
The regulator issued Order No. NERC/209/2020 around 10.30 pm on Tuesday; with the title, “NERC Order on suspension of the Multi-Year Tariff Order 2020 for the electricity distribution licensees.” The order was co-signed by the NERC Chairman, James Momoh, and the Commissioner, Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye. However, the Commission stated: “This order shall take effect from 28th September (Monday) 2020, and shall cease to have an effect on the 11th October 2020.”
