COVID-19: NERC reverses planned electricity tarrif hike

Following the ongoing global health crises of Covid-19, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in the country to suspend the proposed tariff increase.

NERC in a memo on Tuesday said the adverse effects of the coronavirus has affected global economy and Nigerians are also bearing the brunt.

“The orders of the com­mission (order no NERC/ GL/184/2019 to NERC/ GL/184/2019) titled ‘The De­cember 2019 minor review of multi-year tariff order (MYTO) 2015 and minimum remittance order for the year 2020’ shall remain in force until June 30, 2020 when a new minor review order shall be issued by the com­mission,” the memo read.
“There shall be no in­crease in tariffs of end-use customers on April 1, 2020.

“The current global COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted on the availability of imported components for local assem­bly of metres for supply to end-use customers under the metre asset provider (MAP) regulations and the roll out plan for the existing stock.

“The commission ac­knowledges the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on global econo­my and the consequential impact on the average Ni­gerian.

“All future tariff reviews shall be on the basis of con­sultations between the Dis­Co and customer clusters with firm commitments on rates and quality of service. The service level compact shall include a compensa­tion mechanism for end-use customers to address the DisCo’s failure events to deliver on performance targets.”