Nigerian Government Orders NERC To Suspend Adjustment In Electricity Tariff

The Federal Government has ordered the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to suspend the recently adjusted electricity tariff.

The Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, who made the announcement in a statement on Thursday, said a committee has been set up to work on the new electricity tariffs and should be allowed to complete its work before any adjustments.

Mamman said he directed NERC to suspend the implementation of the duly performed minor review to allow the conclusion of dialogue with Labour centers.

“The public is aware that the Federal Government and the Labour Centers have been engaged in positive discussions about the electricity sector.

”Some of the achievements of this deliberation with Labour are the accelerated rollout of the National Mass Metering Plan, clampdowns on estimated billing, and the reduction in tariff rates.‌

“It should be clear to all that the regulator must be allowed to perform its function.

“The role of the Government is not to set tariffs, but also to provide policy guidance, protect consumers and for investors to engage directly with consumers.

”To promote a constructive conclusion of the dialogue with the Labour Centers, I have directed NERC to suspend the implementation of the duly performed minor review (which adjusted tariffs between N2 per kWh and N4 per kWh) until the conclusion of the Joint Ad Hoc Committee’s work at the end of January 2021.

“I would like to state again that this Administration is committed to creating a sustainable, electricity market for the benefit of all Nigerians,” the statement said.

This is coming a few months after the Federal Government through the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) commenced distribution of free electricity meters to Nigerians.