DisCos will enforce new electricity tariff in April ― ANED

The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distribution Companies (ANED), on Monday, said that the Distribution Companies (DisCos) would enforce the new electricity tariffs from 1st of April, 2020.

The Director, Research and Advocacy, ANED, Mr Sunday Oduntan, disclosed this in a statement in Abuja on Monday.

Oduntan said that the present tariff shall remain the same until 1st of April when there would be a slight increment to cater for tariff shortfalls which shall be gradually passed on to consumers until “it is fully completed.

“We state emphatically that there shall be no change or increase in the existing Electricity tariff until April 1, when the new adjusted tariffs shall begin to gradually reflect the dynamism of our macro-economy.’’

Oduntan said that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) was empowered by the Electric Power Sector Reform Act to carry out minor reviews of the Multi-Year Tariff Order 2015 twice a year.

According to him, NERC has just reviewed the MYTO 2015 and has published an order on tariffs and minimum remittance for January to June.

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News Agency of Nigeria reports that NERC had on Saturday published new tariffs for the different DisCos and categories of customers on its website which was signed by its Chairman and Secretary, Prof James Momoh and Dafe Akpeneye respectively.

However, NERC chairman, Momoh, had in a news conference, on Monday, said what the commission did was a tariff review which was usually done twice a year.

According to him, there will be no increase in electricity tariff without consultations.

Oduntan said that the new tariff ordered by NERC would cater for revenue shortfalls in the sector

“The tariffs anticipate changes in the currency exchange rates between the United States and Nigeria, changes in the rate of inflation and gas prices.

“It is our hope that this explanation substantially clarifies the accurate position and allays any fears and concerns our esteemed customers may have,” he said.

(NAN)