By CONSTANCE ATHEKAME

Electricity consumers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have alleged increase in tariff without consultation.

The consumers who reside in Kubwa and Lugbe spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

They said that they observed that the units given to them on purchase of credit for their prepaid meters had reduced.

Mrs Juliet Ogheneovo, residing in Kubwa said that she normally gets 89.9 units for N5,000 when she purchases credit for her prepaid meter but now she gets 73.4 units for that same amount.

Oghenovo said that she was not aware of any tariff increase and was surprised when she purchased credit units for her meter and found out that the units had reduced.

“I was surprised, when I purchased credit for my meter and discovered that the units had reduced,” she said.

Mr Malik Abubakar, also residing in Kubwa said that he formerly purchased 89.9 units for N5,000 but now he gets 51.7 units for that same amount.

According to him, he is not aware of any increase in tariff.

Abubakar said that it was so frustrating paying higher tariff when he was not even getting regular power supply.

Mrs Caroline Uneru, residing in Lugbe said that she was surprised when she purchased credit units for her pre-paid meter, and observed that the units had reduced from what it was before.

Uneru said that whenever she recharges N6,000, she gets 99.6 units but now with that same amount, she gets 88.2 units.

Mr Stephen Adelaja, also resident in Lugbe said that he used to purchase 28.7 units for N2, 000 but discovered that now he gets 22.5 for the same amount.

According to him, power supply is not stable right now in my area and AEDC is not consistent with the tariff for pre-paid meters.

NAN reports that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has the mandate to increase electricity tariffs in Nigeria.

The commission is also responsible for regulating the electricity industry and ensuring that tariffs are fair and reflective of the costs of generating and distributing electricity.

However, an official of NERC told NAN that there was no review in electricity tariff.

She said that tariff reviews have an extensive process which includes stakeholders consultation, adding that the commission follows these processes accordingly.

According to her, the media will be consulted before any tariff review happens.

Under the current structure, Band A customers who get electricity for 20 to 24 hours daily pay N206 – N209 per Kilo Watts hour (KWh)

“Customers on Band B who gets minimum 16 hours daily of electricity are charged approximately N46.93 – N63/kWh.

“Those on Band C who gets minimum 12 hours daily are charged N63/kWh.

“Those on Band D who gets 8-12 hours approximately pay N41/kWh.

“Band E 4-8 hours generally frozen, often subsidised.”

NAN contacted AEDC over the increase in tariff as NERC said it did not increase tariff.

AEDC promised to carry out investigation into the issue.

As at the time of filing this report, AEDC is yet to respond to messages and evidences of increment sent to them for over a week. (NAN)