The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has denied increasing tariff yet.
NERC spokesman, Usman Arabi, said in a statement on Sunday that the “review implemented by the commission was a retrospective adjustment of the tariff regime released in 2015.”
The statement said: “This is to account for changes in macro-economic indices for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 thus providing certainty about revenue shortfall that may have arisen due to the differential between tariffs approved by the regulator and actual end-user tariffs.
“The commission therefore wish to notify the general public that no tariff increase has been approved by the Commission vide the order.”
Reports of the increase in electricity bills on Saturday was greeted with criticism across the country.
Mr Arabi, however, added that NERC, in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities enshrined under the Electric Power Sector Reform Act, would continue to undertake periodic reviews of electricity tariffs in accordance with the prevailing tariff methodology.
According to him, in all instances of such reviews and rule making, the commission will widely consult with stakeholders and final decision will take due regard of all contributions.
Electricity consumer groups in the country have kicked against increasing tariff for end-user customers.
The groups, Energy Consumer Rights and Responsibilities Initiative and the All Electricity Consumer Protection Forum, said incresse in electricity tariff was unjustified based on present realities.
