By Bisola Adeyemo
Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has been directed to suspend the adjusted electricity tariff that took effect this month.
The Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, made this known in a statement in Abuja on Thursday.
NERC on Tuesday increased the electricity tariff payable by power consumers across the country with effect from January 1, 2021.
According to NERC, the N2 to N4 adjustment in tariff was necessitated by inflation and fluctuations in the foreign exchange rates.
The Nigeria Labour threatened industrial action, maintaining that government is insensitive to the plight of Nigerians.
Following the outcry, the Minister of Power said there was a committee working on the new electricity tariff regime and the committee should be allowed to complete its work before any development or adjustment.
He directed NERC to suspend the recent increment until the committee concludes its work by end of January.
He said, “The public is aware that the Federal Government and the Labour Centers have been engaged in positive discussions about the electricity sector through a joint ad-hoc committee led by the Minister of State for Labour and Productivity and co-chaired by the Minister of State for Power. Great progress has been made in these deliberations which are set to be concluded at the end of January, 2021.
“To promote a constructive conclusion of the dialogue with the Labour Centers (through the joint ad-hoc committee), I have directed NERC to forestall 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.
“This will allow for the outcome of all resolutions from the committee to be implemented together.”
