The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), in what seems an attempt to promote transparency and customer engagement in respect of the proposed tariff hike request from the 11 electricity distribution companies, has asked the electricity consuming public to send in their comments.
The NERC said that consumers’ comments would help in gauging public opinion, which would help in deciding the modality regarding the proposed tariff rate increases.
In a public notice titled “Notice of Application for Rate Review by the Electricity Distribution Companies,” the NERC confirmed that it has received applications for rate hikes from all the DisCos, which provided reasons for the rates to go up.
The commission said: “The request for rate review is premised on the need to incorporate changes in macroeconomic parameters and other factors affecting the quality of service, operations, and sustainability of the companies.”
The development from the regulatory agencies comes as there has been intense pressure on the commission from the DisCos to give approval for rate adjustments.
Earlier last month, the DisCos complained at a meeting about the impact the recent policy changes in the administration of President Bola Tinubu has had on their operations. From the removal of fuel subsidy to the unification of the exchange rate, the DisCos have complained in unison that the high cost of purchasing U.S dollars is affecting their ability to procure equipment and other materials towards meeting their statutory duties.
In the public notice, NERC had urged customers to submit their comments on or before July 20, 2023, to “tariff@nerc.gov.ng”.
If in doubt, the commission advised customers and “stakeholders to review and take into consideration the excerpts of the rate review applications filed with the commission by the respective licensees.
“The applications can be accessed on the commission’s website at www.nerc.gov.ng.”
A concerned customer, Rose Ogbusua, reportedly urged customers to flood the commission’s website with their rejection of the proposed rate hike from the Discos, saying, “How are we going to survive in this country with this new rate? It’s just too much.”