One week into the new electricity tariff regime, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has revealed that over 20 percent of consumers categorized as Band A do not have prepaid meters, a critical factor in determining actual electricity usage for billing purposes.
As a result, these consumers will be subjected to estimated billing, a practice widely criticized for its potential for manipulation and shortchanging of consumers.
Band A customers, who enjoy a minimum of 20 hours of electricity daily, are expected to have transparent billing processes to control their bills.
This group has experienced a 230 percent tariff increase in the recently announced tariff structure, raising the rate to N225 per kilowatt-hour from N68 per kilowatt-hour.
In response to this challenge, Dr. Musiliu Oseni, Vice Chairman of NERC, has directed Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to prioritize metering Band A customers. However, many DisCos may be unable to immediately deploy meters as prepaid meters are not readily available.
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Affected consumers, especially small businesses, are considering rejecting any estimated bill and are prepared to shut down if DisCos disconnect them due to unsettled bills.
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Additionally, Organised Labour is reportedly planning to present a new minimum wage demand following the recent hike in electricity tariffs by the Federal Government. The Labour groups, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), had previously presented a joint minimum wage demand, which may now need to be adjusted to accommodate the new electricity tariff hike.