The National Assembly has objected to the proposed electricity tariff hike in the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Electricity Distribution Company (DisCos).
But the Senate and the House of Representatives said the proposed tariff increase should be put on hold to “allow Nigerians to breathe”.
In particular, the House said NERC should compel DisCos to discontinue estimated or arbitrary billing to pave the way for an effective metering plan that can guarantee fairness to consumers.
On Tuesday, a meeting of NERC, DisCos and other stakeholders across the value chain meant to deliberate on tariff increase continued in Abuja.
Sources at the meeting hinted that the stakeholders may agree on between 25 and 30 percent tariff increase.
It was also learnt that the Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited (NDPHC) expected DisCos to refund over $1.2 billion to it for 374 distribution projects.
The Senate urged DisCos to allow communities to recover their cost of buying electricity transformers before asking them to pay bills.
It also urged NERC and DisCos to halt estimated billing by urgently supplying electricity consumers with prepaid meters at affordable rates across the country.
The resolutions of the Senate followed its motion, titled: “Need to halt proposed increase in Electricity Tariff by 11 successor Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos).”
The motion was moved by Senator Yunus Akintunde (APC – Oyo Central) at plenary.
Following the debate, the Senate called on the Federal Government to intervene and halt the proposed increase in electricity tariff by the Distribution Companies (Discos);
“Urge Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to decentralize proposed engagement with Stakeholders scheduled for Abuja to the Six Geopolitical Zones of the Federation for effective participation by all;
“The Senate also urged NERC to thoroughly look into the rate review applications filed by the Discos, taking into consideration the interests of citizens, affordability, and the need for improved service delivery;
Akintunde in his lead debate, said the Senate had observed that the 11 successor DisCos have filed an application for rate review with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The request for rate review, according to him, 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.
He said: “It is essential to address the issues of inadequate power supply, metering, and quality of service provided by the Discos. Customers should not bear the brunt of inefficiencies in the power sector.”
Credit: thenationonlineng.net
