House Of Reps Directs NERC To Suspend Electricity Tariff Increase

The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has been directed by the House of Representatives to suspend the announced tariff hike affecting Band A customers pending an investigation by the House.

It was learnt that the resolution was approved by the lower legislative chamber during its plenary session on Tuesday, subsequent to the enactment of a motion addressing pressing public concerns.

The proposal was put forth by Nkemkanma Kama, a legislator representing the Labour Party (LP) from Enonyi state.

Osun Defender recalls that the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, had warned that there would be a total blackout in Nigeria in the next three months if the proposed electricity tariff hike is not implemented.

READ: Accept Tariff Hike Or Face Total Blackout, FG Tells Nigerians

He disclosed this yesterday in Abuja when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Power at an investigative hearing over the recent electricity tariff hike by NERC.

This is after the Senate committee, led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, rejected the new tariff regime.

Adelabu warned that the entire sector would be grounded if the Commission fails to increase the tariff.

According to him, “The entire sector will be grounded if we don’t increase the tariff. With what we have now in the next three months, the entire country will be in darkness if we don’t increase tariffs.

“The increment will catapult us to the next level. We are also Nigerians, we are also feeling the impact.”

He said $10 billion a year for the next ten years is needed to revive the nation’s power sector and nip in the bud the challenges bedevilling it.