NERC must wade in on the part of hapless consumers over unilateral tariff hike

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) should live up to its responsibility to justify its existence. We wonder why it would appear to be indifferent to the plight of consumers, who complained that Ikeja Electric may have surreptitiously increased their tariff. A report in this paper a few days ago that there is a huge difference in tariff for electricity purchased between last November and January, this year, has not elicited any response, either from Ikeja Electric or the NERC charged with approving any change in tariff paid by consumers.

A consumer told this paper: I recharged my meter on Ikeja Electric yesterday (January 2) at 8.15am with N5,000, and after loading the token, I was surprised to be credited with 66 units of electricity; this is like 10 units short of what I got from the same amount on November 4, 2023 when I got 76 units for N5,000. He continued, definitely, Ikeja Electric has increased its tariff, except the firm wants to claim there is a fault in their system warranting this difference of 10 units.

When contacted by this papers correspondence for comments, the Head of Media, Ikeja Electric, Mr. Kingsley Okotie, could not explain the difference. Instead, he quibbled about the motive for the enquiry over the discrepancies. He said: See, I am not someone than can be bamboozled. If it is to lay complaint on behalf of a customer, then the customer can get in touch with our complaints centre, but if it is a reaction to your story, then I cannot answer you. Despite appeals, he refused to react to the claims.

On our part, we are shocked that a simple question about the welfare of consumers would elicit such unnecessary antagonism. More so, NERC insists that there is no authorisation of tariff increase, and the reasons offered are germane. On its website, it opined: The commission as well as the industry is responsible enough to appreciate the state of the economy, level of power generation, how Nigerians are coping and would, therefore, not make any decision that could further aggravate the challenges faced by the power sector and the economy.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, late last year informed Nigerians that President Bola Tinubu stopped the implementation of a hike in electricity tariff and that the nation would continue to pay subsidy on power consumed nationwide, and according to NERCs report, subsidy on electricity supply in the last quarter of 2023, stood at N204.59bn. So, it is pertinent to ask whether Ikeja Electric is double-dealing with consumers who are also the tax payers of the subsidy?

We urge NERC to investigate the allegation that some electricity distribution companies (Discos) have raised tariffs without the requisite approval and transparency. The reason offered for the delay in allowing the prices of electricity to go haywire, and for which subsidy has been provided for, has not changed.

The Federal Government cannot in one hand be offering palliatives to alleviate the economic hardship faced by Nigerians, and yet allow a crushing electricity tariff that would defeat the purpose. That is why a subsidy regime is in place.

The refusal by Ikeja Electric to come clean on the allegation of consumers does not bode well with the public image of the company. As an enterprise that serves the public, it owes them openness, accountability and transparency. That responsibility is even more pertinent, since it receives subsidy from the government, even though a private enterprise. It cannot charge for services, and at the same time receive subsidy for the same service. To do so would make it a rogue organisation.

We earnestly await the outcome of the investigation of NERC on the complaints against Ikeja Electric. Such report should be made public, and if there are infractions, requisite punishment must apply.