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Tag: Electricity Tariff

  • DisCo explains reason for electricity tariff increase

    DisCo explains reason for electricity tariff increase

    Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) has attributed the recent tariff increase for Band A customers to the escalating cost of doing business in the country.

    PHED’s spokesman, Olubukola Ilevbare, told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Monday that the April 3 price adjustment was in line with the 2024 Supplementary Mult i-Year Tariff Order (MYTO).

    He said that the more than 200 per cent hike for Band A customers was a result of the MYTO agreement with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Company (NERC).

    “The new tariff is designed to mitigate the impact of recent changes in key economic indices like inflation rate, foreign exchange rates, and gas prices.

    “It is intended to enhance the fulfilment of various obligations across the value chain which impact operational efficiency and ensure a reliable power supply for customers.

    “Under the new tariff structure, customers on Band A Feeders, receiving a minimum of 20 hours of electricity daily, will now be billed at N225 per kilowatt,” he stated.

    Ilevbare emphasised that the adjustment would empower PHED to offer customers improved service to reflect the increased cost of electricity.

    “PHED is committed to fully complying with the objectives of the new tariff order, and customers Bands B, C, D and E can be reassured that their tariffs remain unchanged.

    “Our esteemed customers can anticipate better service delivery as a result of the 2024 MYTO implementation,” the spokesman assured.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that PHED supplies electricity to customers in Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers states.

  • New electricity tariff: The news came to me as a shock – Ndume

    New electricity tariff: The news came to me as a shock – Ndume

    Chief Whip of the Senate, Sen. Ali Ndume, has said he received the news on new electricity tariff in shock.

    He urged the Federal Government to reconsider its position on hike in electricity tariff, saying Nigerians are yet to recover from the removal of fuel subsidy.

    Ndume, who gave the advice in a statement in Abuja on Saturday, described the timing on electricity increase as unfavorable.

    The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) recently approved a tariff increment for Band A consumers, allowing electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos)to raise electricity prices from N68 to N225 per kilowatt-hour with effect from April 1, 2024.

    The lawmaker said Nigerians were facing many challenges, including unprecedented inflation, poor purchasing power, insecurity, and other hardships.

    Ndume urged the Federal Government to focus on providing stable electricity, inflation reduction, stabilise the naira, reduction in food prices,and provision of other basic amenities to Nigerians before increase in tariff.

    He expressed concern that the decision to increase electricity tariff was taken without due consultation with the National Assembly, the representatives of the people.

    Ndume said constituents of lawmakers’ were also reaching out to them to intervene and reverse the astronomical increase.

    Ndume said: “The news of the increment came to me and many of my colleagues as a shock.

    “It also came at a time when the National Assembly was on a break, personally, I think the timing of this hike is very wrong, Nigerians are grappling with many challenges.

    “To put this fresh responsibility on them is very unfair. Nigerians are yet to recover from the fuel subsidy removal of last year.

    “Many Nigerians are still grappling with the ripple effects that the removal had on them.

    “I believe that the timing is wrong, there ought to have been some consultations, especially with the National Assembly as representatives of the people, we were not consulted, we saw the news like every other Nigerian.

    “The inflation is still very high, the prices of food commodities, drugs, transportation, school fees, and other daily expenditures are still on the high side, to now add this new burden is unfair.

    “The minimum wage has not been increased, many state governments are yet to even pay the current minimum wage of N30,000. How do we expect the people to survive? We’ve to be very realistic and feel the pulse of the people we represent as a government.

    “For me, I think the Federal Government should first of all provide stable electricity, reduce the inflation, stabilise the naira, and prices of food commodities.

    “Then, the purchasing power of Nigerians must significantly improve before we can place a fresh responsibility on them as a government.

    “The Federal Government needs to give the National Assembly the opportunity to also step in and consult because we represent the people. We feel their pulse, and we know what they’re going through right now.”

  • Over 40 bakeries shutdown in FCT over cost of production

    Over 40 bakeries shutdown in FCT over cost of production

    No fewer than 40 bakeries have closed shop in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), over cost of production and multiple taxation and hike in electricity tariff, among others.

    Some of the bakeries visited were not opened for business due to operational cost and multiple taxation by some government agencies.

    Some of the bakeries that have closed shops are Abumme bakery Ltd. Lugbe, Airports road; Hamdala Bakery, Kuje; Harmony Bite Bakery, Karu, and Doweey Delight Bakery Ltd, Kubwa.

    Others include Merit Baker, Mpape; Funez Baker, Orozo; Slyz Bakery, Wuse Zone 2, and others.

    Mr Ishaq Abdulraheem, the Chairman, Abuja Master Bakers, FCT said that it was becoming increasingly disturbing that bakeries in Abuja could no longer cope with the high cost of production.

    He said that most members had lost their means of livelihood, while workers had been out of job due to the shutdown.

    He called on the Federal Government to quickly intervene and check agencies of government frustrating bakery business.

    He identified some of the agencies to include the National Food Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Environmental Standards and Regulations, and Enforcement Agency (NESREA).

    He said that the six Area Councils in FCT had also made business very unpleasant and difficult for bakeries with huge taxes and tenement rates.

    An Abuja baker, Mr Nuhu Musa of Hamdala Bakery, Kuje, FCT appealed to the government to regulate the activities of these agencies to reduce the different taxes they imposed on bakers.

    Musa said many bakeries were struggling to survive due to the high cost of production.

    “We want government to regulate these agencies so that our production process will be easy.

    “These taxations are negatively impacting our business to the extent that many of us have closed down.

    “This is also affecting employment as many bakery workers are out of work presently and you know the effect of that on the society; some will turn to criminality,’’ he said.

    Musa said, for instance, NAFDAC will come to their bakeries to check for certificates, while SON will come for the registration of the product.

    “How much are we making to warrant all these checking and payments,’’ he said.

    Some of the Abuja residents who spoke with NAN decried the high cost of bread in the market, stressing that bread was gradually becoming the food for the rich.

    Mr Julius Anthony, a resident said that some of the bread he usually bought for N500 per loaf now cost as much as N1,000.

    Miss Aisha Danjuma,  another resident of FCT called on the government to immediately intervene over the high cost of bread, adding that “bread is the food for the masses and must not be taken away from them.’’

  • “In Nigeria, you fuel your generator to run your business and use the profit to pay NEPA bill” – Helen Paul groans

    “In Nigeria, you fuel your generator to run your business and use the profit to pay NEPA bill” – Helen Paul groans

    Nigerian comedienne and actress, Helen Paul, has lamented the predicament of the average business owner in Nigeria.

     

    She took to her Instagram page on Tuesday, May 17, to raise a concern about the epileptic power supply and increase in electricity tariff.

     

    According to her, business owners spend a lot of money to fuel their generator to run their businesses, and in turn, use the profit realized from the business to pay for the NEPA bill.

     

    Bemoaning the sad situation, the 44-year-old comic actress asserted that the average business owner can no longer account for their profit and investment.

     

    “In Nigeria, you fuel your generator to run your business and use the profit to pay NEPA bill”, she wrote.

     

    A while ago, Helen Paul took to her social media page to share how she hid her truth from the public after surviving a car accident.

    She shared a photo of when she had a ‘black eye’ and disclosed that she was involved in a car accident in Abuja.

     

    Sharing the photo, she wrote: “Sometime ago, I was involved in a car accident in Abuja. I suffered a concussion to my head and had to wear sunglasses for a while.

     

    “When taking pictures with others, I would leave my sunglasses on and many complained that I didn’t want my face to show in pictures with them.

     

    “Some even assumed I was being proud, being a star ? They were totally oblivious of the true situation. Not all things are truly what they appear to be.

     

    “Many are hiding a lot and showing the best side on social media. Focus on the majors and forget the minors. Thank God. Everyday for all blessings, great and small.”

     

    The comedienne is also known as “Tatafo”, characterized by a voice range that makes her sound like a child.

     

    She graduated with a doctorate in Theater Arts from the University of Lagos

  • ‘Nigerians to start paying higher…as govt effect electricity tariff hike July 1’

    ‘Nigerians to start paying higher…as govt effect electricity tariff hike July 1’

    The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has announced that the hike in electricity tariff will take effect from July 1, 2021.

    This latest move which is part of the half-yearly review of the Multi-Year Tariff Order, MYTO, has been backed by a recent report by the World Bank that every Nigerian pays less for electricity than what it costs to supply electricity to them.

    The World Bank in its Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP), Fact Sheet noted that the government has over the years paid the difference because it wants to help poor families pay their bills.

    The Bank held that “Richer families use more electricity, so a chunk of government support ends up going to those who do not really need help with paying bills”.

    According to the Bank, DisCos get paid for only half of the electricity they receive, adding that for “every N10 worth of electricity received by DisCos about N2.60 is lost in poor distribution infrastructure and through power theft, and another N3.40 is not being paid for by customers”.

    World Bank warned that if the sector’s performance and discipline are not improved, the government would have to provide over N3.4 trillion to support the sector by 2023.

    Despite this, Engr. Sale Mamman, the Minister of Power, has admitted that the electricity tariff will be increased in July but not “significantly”.

    Mamman said instead of a significant hike in electricity tariff, Nigerians should expect an increase in efficiency in the sector to reduce tariffs while managing headwinds from foreign exchange and inflation.

    He explained that the order issued by NERC on the 26th of April 2021 titled, “Notice of Minor and Extraordinary Review of Tariffs for Electricity Transmission and Distribution Companies” was a routine procedure.

    The Minister noted that the review planned by NERC is in accordance with Section 76 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act of 2005.

    According to him, “the tariff for customers on service bands D & E (customers being served less than an average of 12hrs of supply per day over a period of one month) remains subsidized in line with the policy direction of the Federal Government”.

    The minister said Section 76 of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act of 2005 provides clear guidelines for the periodic review of tariff (based on market data and submissions from licensees).

    The guidelines include the provision that the Commission shall give notice of activities related to tariff “in the Official Gazette, and in one or more newspapers”.

  • Nigeria @60: Urhobo group urges Buhari to make Nigerians happy again

    Nigeria @60: Urhobo group urges Buhari to make Nigerians happy again

    The Abuja chapter of the Urhobo World United Union (UWUU), an umbrella body of Urhobo sons and daughters, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to make Nigerians happy again.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports UWUU made the call on Thursday in Abuja, the federal capital territory as the nation marks her 60th independence anniversary.

    According to the group, the recent increase in the pump price of fuel and increase in electricity tariff have made Nigerians unhappy.

    Speaking with TNG, Francis Oberuefe, the Assistant Coordinator of UWUU, Abuja chapter, said despite the chaos, despite the so many issues besetting the country, the nation is marching on strong.

    “Politically, we are moving forward. The government is trying it’s best to make life easy for the citizenry even when all is not well in the country. Despite the chaos, despite the so many issues besetting the nation, we are still moving on.

    “How do we move this country forward in real terms? That is exactly the question we should be asking as a people as we mark our independence. We must know that for us to move the country forward, there is a prize to pay.

    “One thing I will advise President Buhari is that he should be proactive enough to move the nation forward. With the remaining years in his tenure, he should be able to leave legacies he would be remembered for.

    “He should be active. One of the areas I want the President to be really active, is the aspect of security. People are dying almost on a daily basis. Losing just one life is just too many. He should rejig the security architecture of the country to ensure citizens do not live in fear.

    “Another area the President should look at is the area of food security. President Buhari should revamp the agricultural sector to ensure food security. He should do more in the sector. He has promised us that he is moving this country forward so we expect more from him,” he said.

    Speaking in the same vein, Pharm Samuel Adamatie, an active member of UWUU commended President Buhari and said Nigerians need to support the programmes of government for the betterment of everyone.

    While pleading with the President to listen to the plight of the people and make life bearable rather than increase the burdens of the people, the pharmacist supported the deregulation agenda of the FG but stressed the timing is wrong.

    “I am not known to be a pessimistic individual. I would not say there is nothing to celebrate about Nigeria. We are not there yet. We are actually growing. We are still growing, just like every other nations of the world.

    “But the question is how well have we grown. Listening to the President’s speech this morning, inasmuch as I have reservations, in all, it was a nice speech. I listened to it all along.

    “The country needs support. We need to support the government’s programmes for the betterment of everyone. Enough of the complaints. Let us begin to work to influence our immediate environment and the country as whole. We are not totally there but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

    “On the issue of deregulation, I totally support it but it should not be now. It should have been either before now or after this COVID-19 era. Not now. We all experienced the adverse effects of COVID-19. Other countries are providing palliatives to cushion the effects of COVID, we are deregulating. It should not be now. It should not be when we are still battling with COVID-19 and its after effects.

    “On electricity, I totally disagree with the government when the government is yet to do the needful. I think the government is finding it difficult on what to do: whether to put the chicken before the hen or the hen before the chicken. This is not the time to increase anything in the name of boosting revenue generation.

    “I plead with the President to listen to the plight of the people and make life bearable rather than increase the burdens of the people. He should also see to the security of lives and properties. Without security, the country will not move well. That is the major thing,” he said.

    On his part, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the group, Noah Oghenebrorhien Akporehe noted that celebrating the 60th independence anniversary of Nigeria is a good thing, stressing that although there are lapses, that does not mean citizens should not celebrate.

    He lamented the rate of unemployment and the hardship in the country, and pleaded with the federal government to bring down the price of fuel and reverse the increased electricity tariff.

    He said: “There are certain things the government needs to put in place. This is why you will see that as we celebrate our independence, there is massive protests going on around the country.

    “The rate of unemployment is high and in the midst of the COVID-19, the government still went ahead to increase the price of fuel and electricity tariff. It is not fair for the masses.

    “Things are cost. People are crying. Things are not going on well with the people. The government should do a rethink on the decisions already taken. With that the people can be happy again.

    “I want to plead with the federal government to bring down the price of fuel and reverse the increased electricity tariff. He should also give attention to the youths of the country. He should see to their welfare and provide jobs and make Nigerians happy again”.

  • BREAKING: Labour suspends planned strike as FG reverses new electricity tariff

    BREAKING: Labour suspends planned strike as FG reverses new electricity tariff

    The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) have suspended the nationwide strike scheduled to commence on Monday (today), September 28.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that labour’s decision to suspend the planned nationwide industrial action followed an agreement reached with the Federal Government at a meeting which started at 8.30pm on Sunday and ended at 2:50am on Monday (today) morning.

    Sen. Christ Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment said this while reading a joint communique on the resolution of the Trade Dispute between the Federal Government and the organised Labour on Monday in Abuja.

    Ngige said the resolution reached with the organised labour was an outcome of a fruitful deliberation.

    According to him, on the issue of electricity tariff reforms, the parties agreed to set up a Technical Committee comprising Ministries, Departments, Agencies, NLC and TUC, which will work for a duration of two weeks effective from Monday, Sept. 28.

    “The committee is to examine the justifications for the new policy in view of the need for the validation of the basis for the new cost reflective tariff.

    “The technical committee membership included Mr Festus Keyamo, Minister of State Labour and Employment, as chairman, Mr Godwin Jedy-Agba, Minister of State Power, Mr James Momoh, Chairman National Electricity Regulatory Commission,

    “Others were Mr Ahmad Rufai Zakari, SA to Mr President on Infrastructure, Dr Onoho’Omhen Ebhohimhen, Member, NLC, Mr Joe Ajaero NLC, Mr Chris Okonkwo, TUC and a representative of DISCOS.”

    The minister said the committee should also look at the different Electricity Distribution Company (DISCOs) and their different electricity tariff ‘vis-à-vis NERC’s order and mandate.

    Ngige, on the issue of the downstream sector deregulation, said all parties agreed on the need to expand the local refining capacity of the nation to reduce the over dependency on importation of petroleum products

    He said NNPC was directed to expedite the rehabilitation of the nation’s four refineries located in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna and to achieve 50 per cent completion for Port Harcourt by December 2021, while timelines and delivery for Warri and Kaduna will be established by the inclusive Steering Committee.

    According to him, the national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PENGASSAN) will be integrated into the Steering Committee already established by the Corporation.

    “The Federal Government and its agencies are to ensure delivery of one million CNG/LPG AutoGas conversion kits, storage skids and dispensing units under the Nigeria Gas Expansion Programme by December 2021 to enable delivery of cheaper transportation and power fuel.

    “A Governance Structure that will include representatives of organised Labour shall be established for timely delivery,” he said.

    Ngige also said on the issue of general intervention that the government will facilitate the removal of tax on minimum wage as a way of cushioning the impacts of the policy on the lowest vulnerable.

    He said the Federal Government would give the labour unions 133 CNG/LPG driven mass transit buses immediately and ‘provide to the major cities across the Country on a scale up basis, thereafter to all States and Local Governments before December 2021.’

    He said 10 per cent of the ongoing Ministry of Housing and Finance housing initiative would be allocated to Nigerian workers under the NLC and TUC.

    According to him, a specific amount is to be unveiled by the Federal Government in two weeks’ time, which will be isolated from the Economic Sustainability Programme Intervention Fund that can be accessed by Nigerian Workers with subsequent provision for 240,000 under the auspices of NLC and TUC.

    “This is for participation in agricultural ventures through the CBN and the Ministry of Agriculture. The timeline will be fixed at the next meeting,” he said.

    In his remark, Mr Ayuba Wabba, NLC President said that both the government and organised labour have looked into the issue of fuel price hike and what was needed to be put in place in order to address the issue of the increase.

    “We have discussed the state of our refineries and how to achieve sustainable refineries.

    “We have also looked at the issue of the tariff hike and other challenges.

    “We agreed to suspend the strike, and we agreed to also put a committee in place to work out lasting solution in addressing these challenges, including the issue of metering and importantly also is to bring about the issue of efficiency.

    “We also reviewed the process of privatisation and other issues such as clear palliatives that were needed to be extended to our members and Nigerians to cushion the effect of these policies,” he said.

    Wabba, therefore, called for social dialogue as a way of addressing issues of industrial relations, socio-economic issues and also issues of development.

    According to him, the labour hopes that the communique will be implemented, and therefore, the decision of the organised labour as represented here is to suspend the action.

    “We are going to convey our Central Working Committee meeting to present the communique to them,” he said.

    Also, Mr Quadiri Olaleye, TUC president noted that based on the agreement signed between the government and the labour, the planned industrial action would be suspended for two weeks.

    He added that the planned industrial action was called to draw the attention of the government to certain issues.

  • Light bill: Buhari addresses recent tariff adjustment by DisCos

    Light bill: Buhari addresses recent tariff adjustment by DisCos

    …says timing of new tariff, new PMS price coincidental

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday touched on the recent service based tariff adjustment by electricity distribution companies (DisCos) in the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Buhari as saying the recent service based tariff adjustment by the Discos was a source of concern.

    The President made these comments at the first year ministerial performance review retreat at the State House conference centre in Abuja.

    He said so far to keep the industry going, the nation had spent almost 1.7 trillion, especially by way of supplementing tariffs shortfalls, and that there was no more resources to continue in this way.

    Buhari said it would be grossly irresponsible to borrrow to subsidize a generation and distribution which are both privatized.

    “Let me say frankly that like many Nigerians I have been very unhappy about the quality of service given by the Discos, but there are many constraints including poor transmission capacity and distribution capacity.

    “I have already signed off on the first phase of the Siemens project to address many of these issues.

    “Because of the problems with the privatization exercise, government has had to keep supporting the largely privatized electricity industry.

    “So far to keep the industry going we have spent almost 1.7 trillion, especially by way of supplementing tariffs shortfalls.

    “We do not have the resources at this point to continue in this way and it will be grossly irresponsible to borrrow to subsidize a generation and distribution which are both privatized.

    “But we also have a duty to ensure that the large majority of those who cannot afford to pay cost reflective tariffs are protected from increases,” he said.

    The President said the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the industry regulator therefore approved that tariff adjustments had to be made but only on the basis of guaranteed improvement in service.

    “Under this new arrangement, only customers who are guaranteed a minimum of 12 hours of power and above can have their tariffs adjusted.

    “Those who get less than 12 hours supply, or the Band D and E Customers MUST be maintained on lifeline tariffs, meaning that they will experience no increase. This is the largest group of customers,” Buhari explained.

    He went further to say that the government has also taken notice of the complaints about arbitrary estimated billing.

    “Accordingly, a mass metering program is being undertaken to provide meters for over 5 million Nigerians, largely driven by preferred procurement from local manufacturers – creating thousands of jobs in the process.

    “NERC has also committed to strictly enforcing the capping regulation which will ensure that unmetered customers are not charged beyond the metered customers in their neighbourhood. In other words no more estimated billings,” he said.

    Buhari also stated that the process of providing financing support through the CBN for manufacturers and retailers of off grid solar home systems and mini-grids who are to provide the systems had begun.

    He stressed that the five million systems under the ESP’s Solar Power Strategy will produce 250,000 jobs and impact up to 25 million beneficiaries through the installation.

    “In addressing the power problems we must not forget that most Nigerians are not even connected to electricity at all. So as part of the Economic Sustainability Plan, we are providing Solar home systems to 5 million Nigerian households in the next 12 months.

    “We have already begun the process of providing financing support through the CBN for manufacturers and retailers of Off Grid Solar Home Systems and Mini-Grids who are to provide the systems.

    “The Five million systems under the ESP’s Solar Power Strategy will produce 250,000 jobs and impact up to 25 million beneficiaries through the installation.

    “This means that more Nigerians will have access to electricity via a reliable and sustainable solar system.

    “The support to Solar Home System manufacturers and the bulk procurement of local meters will create over 300,000 local jobs while ensuring that we set Nigeria on a path to full electrification.

    “The tariff review is not about the increase, which will only affect the top electricity consumers, but establishing a system which will definitely lead to improved service for all at a fair and reasonable price.

    “There has been some concern expressed about the timing of these two necessary adjustments.

    “It is important to stress that this is coincidental in the sense that the deregulation of PMS prices happened quite some time ago, it was announced on 18 March 2020 and the price moderation that took place at the beginning of this month was just part of the on-going monthly adjustments to global crude oil prices.

    “Similarly, the review of service-based electricity tariffs was scheduled to start at the beginning of July but was put on hold to enable further studies and proper arrangements to be made.

    “This government is not insensitive to the current economic difficulties our people are going through and the very tough economic situation we face as a nation, and we certainly will not inflict hardship on our people.

    “But we are convinced that if we stay focused on our plans, a brighter andmore prosperous days will come soon. “Ministers and senior officials must accordingly ensure the vigorous and prompt implementation of the ESP & all of our programmes, which will give succour to Nigerians.

    “In this regard, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has created credit facilities (of up to N100B) for the Healthcare (N100 Billion) and Manufacturing (N1 Trillion) sectors.

    “From January, 2020 to date, over N191.87B has already been disbursed for 76 real sectors projects under the N1TRN Real Sector Scheme; while 34 Healthcare projects have been funded to the tune of N37.159B under the Healthcare Sector Intervention Facility.

    “The facilities are meant to address some of the infrastructural gap in the healthcare and manufacturing sector as a fall out to the COVID-19 pandemic and to facilitate the attainment of the Government’s 5-year strategic plan,” Buhari stated.

    He also stated that the “Implementation of a Willing Buyer, Willing Seller Policy for the power sector, has opened up opportunities for increased delivery of electricity to homes and industries.

    “We are also executing some critical projects through the Transmission Rehabilitation and Expansion Programme, which will result in the transmission and distribution of a total of 11,000 Megawatts by 2023”.

  • PDP rejects N151 fuel price, hike in electricity tariff

    PDP rejects N151 fuel price, hike in electricity tariff

    Nigeria’s major opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the latest increase in pump price of fuel from N145 to N151 per litre.

    The party also rejected increase in electricity tariff to N66 per kwh which came into effect on September 1.

    It described the new price regime as callous, cruel and punishing.

    In a statement on Wednesday by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the main opposition party demanded immediate reversal of the prices to avert a national crisis.

    The PDP noted the increase will result in upsurge in costs of goods and services and worsen the biting hardship faced by Nigerians, who are already impoverished and overburdened by high costs of living imposed by the government in the last five years.

    The party said: “It is distressing that the APC administration increased the cost of essential commodities at the time the leadership of other countries are offering palliatives to their citizens to cushion the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is instructive to add that our nation is doomed under the APC watch.

    “We know that the APC is an unfeeling party but it is indeed shocking that it could go to the extent of approving such a hike at this trying time, when many Nigerians are struggling to afford staple foods and other necessities of life”.

    The party challenged the APC and the Buhari administration to publish the parameters with which they arrived at the increase in fuel price to N151 per litre given that with the prevailing values in the international market, the appropriate template for domestic pump price in Nigeria ought not to be above N100 per litre.

    “Moreover, the APC and its government have failed to allow an open investigation into allegations of fuel price overcharge as well as the fraudulent subsidy regime through which over N14 trillion had allegedly been frittered by unscrupulous individuals in the APC.

    “Our fear is that the APC is pushing Nigerians to the wall with its obnoxious and anti-people proclivities and we caution that nobody should misinterpret the peaceful and law-abiding nature of Nigerians as a sign of weakness.

    “Our party therefore restates our call on the National Assembly to save the nation by calling the APC and its administration to order before they plunge our nation into chaos,” the PDP said.

  • Proposed electricity tariff won’t affect poor people – NERC

    Proposed electricity tariff won’t affect poor people – NERC

    The Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Monday said that the proposed tariff increase that has been suspended will not affect poor electricity customers when it takes effect.

    In his presentation to the Senate Committee on Power at the commission’s head office in Abuja, the NERC chairman, Prof. James Momoh told the lawmakers who were in their oversight function that a mechanism has been put in place to absorb the masses of the adverse impacts of the hike.

    Speaking with reporters after the event, he said “It is not going to affect the poor. We will make sure that the downtrodden and the people you feel for at the moment will not be affected by any increase we will be bringing forth.

    “It will be based on the hours of service and the quality of power available there. We don’t want the poor to subsidize the payment of the rich. In other words, we must make sure that the poor are not sacrificed in the process of tariff increase.”

    Meanwhile, the committee chairman, Senator Gabriel Suswan urged the commission to handle the tariff increase with caution because of the economic hardship it could inflict on the people.

    He told Momoh to the Senate is opposed to the proposed increase in tariff but having viewed that most Nigerians cannot even feed themselves at the moment owing to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the commission has “to make haste slowly” about the tariff.

    Explaining what “to make haste slowly” meant, the lawmaker said the NERC has reviewed the tariff but the economy has contracted by over 2 percent due to COVID.

    “By their own Programme, they (NERC) is supposed to activated tariff increase by 1st of July.

    We met with them at the level of National Assembly and appealed that given the circumstances of the COVID they should tally awhile let Nigerians a beat recover from the economic shocks before they can activate that tariff.”

    According to him, the commission suspended the hike because of the pleas of the Senate. He insists at the suspend the hike does not rule out its eventual increase.

    Suswan said the liquidity of the sector depends on a cost-reflective tariff.

    The lawmaker said the commission is presently supporting the National Assembly for the enactment of the Electricity Act since the one in force at the moment was pre privatization of the sector.

    The new bill, said the committee chairman, is expected to be presented to the National Assembly before August this year.

    The lawmaker said “these have gone beyond privatization. There has to be an electricity act that will set the framework that touches on energy theft: how people will be sanctioned. It gives potential investors the comfort to come here and invest knowing that legal framework protects them. NERC is supporting us financially to put that act together. By August we should be able to put that act before the National Assembly.”