The House of Representatives has called on the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to suspend forthwith the implementation of the new electricity tariff nationwide.

Recall that NERC recently mandated electricity distribution companies to charge Band A consumers increased tariffs in a move aimed at ensuring a stable power supply for those who can pay for it.

However, many Nigerians accused NERC of migrating most consumers to Band A even as they complained of epileptic supply.

Coming under the motion of urgent public importance at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday, a member representing Ivo/Ohaozara/Onicha Federal Constituency, Ebonyi State, Kama Nkemkanma, reminded his colleagues of the need to address key issues surrounding “The sudden hike in electricity prices in Nigeria.”

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He noted that the motion “Highlights concerns over due process, fairness, and the impact on consumers. The motion aims to restore public trust, protect consumer rights, and ensure regulatory accountability in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.”

He said, “What’s more concerning are the reports indicating discrepancies in customer categorisation and widespread complaints regarding inadequate service despite increased charges. This situation has not just sparked national anxiety, but it also threatens regulatory certainty and investor confidence in the sector, demanding immediate attention.

“This motion argues for legislative intervention, underlining our constitutional and moral obligations to address the crisis and alleviate the burden on Nigerian citizens. It places a strong emphasis on the legislative oversight role over NERC and the electricity utilities.”

According to the Labour Party chieftain, “Key issues highlighted include the failure of due process in approving the tariff increase, concerns over discriminatory practices, and the disputed nature of government subsidies to electricity distribution companies.

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“The motion proposes resolutions to suspend the recent tariff increases, establish a special committee for hearings involving relevant stakeholders, appoint a technical consultant to assess the legality and reasonableness of NERC’s procedures and draft a bill to improve regulatory processes in tariff setting.

“Overall, this motion underscores the importance of legislative action to address the challenges facing the electricity sector and ensure fair treatment of consumers while promoting transparency and accountability in regulatory decision-making.”

Following the adoption of the motion, the House ordered NERC to suspend the operation of the new tariff.

It also resolved to set up a special committee made up of the Committees on Power, Commerce, Delegated Legislation and National Planning to organise a well-structured hearing on the price regulation of NESI with the participation of the Minister of Power, Chairman and Commissioners of NERC, the CEO of all electricity utilities in Nigeria, President of the National Industrial Court, Trade Union Congress and leaders of chambers of Nigerian.

The House also resolved to appoint a well-regarded former regulator as technical consultant to the House “To develop templates for determination of the legality and reasonableness of the procedure adopted by NERC in approving the tariff increase and establishing the performance benchmarks for the Discos.”

It further authorised the consultant to work with the special committee to draft a bill “To provide for administrative procedures that entrench proper consultation and legislative review of the process for tariff setting in the electricity and other public services in Nigeria.”

The Federal Government has approved an increase of between 25% and 35% in salary Increase for Civil Servants on the remaining six Consolidated Salary Structures

The Salary Structure are Consolidated Public Service Salary Structure (CONPSS), Consolidated Research and Allied Institutions Salary Structure (CONRAISS), Consolidated Police Salary Structure (CONPOSS), Consolidated Para-military Salary Structure (CONPASS), Consolidated Intelligence Community Salary Structure (CONICCS) and Consolidated Armed Forces Salary Structure (CONAFSS).

It will be recalled that those in the Tertiary Education and Health Sectors had already received their increases which involved Consolidated University Academic Salary Structure (CONUASS) and Consolidated Tertiary Institutions Salary Structure (CONTISS)
for Universities.

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For Polytechnics and Colleges of Education, it involved the Consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary Structure (CONPCASS) and Consolidated Tertiary Educational Institutions Salary Structure (CONTEDISS).

The Health Sector also benefitted through the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS) and Consolidated Health Sector Salary Structure (CONHESS).

A statement signed by the Head of Press, National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission (NSIWC), Emmanuel Njoku said the increases take effect from 1st January 2024.

The Federal Government has also approved increases In pension between 20% and 28% for pensioners on the Defined Benefits Scheme in respect of the above-mentioned six consolidated salary structures with effect from 1st January 2024

Drama played out when power supply was seized as the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, was speaking at the National Assembly.

Adelabu was fielding questions from senators at the investigative hearing on “the need to halt the increase in the price of electricity” organised by the Senate Committee on Power.

Power was, thereafter, restored in less than five minutes.

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Speaking about the power interruption, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Eyinnaya Abaribe, said what the minister said about the stable electricity in the country was implicative.

He said, “You see what just happened. This is what we all experience. We the Senators experience it too and I am sure even the President does experience it at the Villa, just that he cannot speak out like we are.”

The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission had on April 3, approved an increase of 340% in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A classification.

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According to the NERC’s Vice Chairman, Musliu Oseni, Band A, customers will begin to pay N225 kilowatt per hour from the current N66.

According to NERC, B and A customers are those who enjoy 20 hours of electricity supply daily.

Further checks revealed that customers under this classification represent 15 per cent of the 12 million electricity customers in Nigeria.

The NERC Vice Chairman however clarified that the review would not affect customers on the other bands.

The Senate had summoned the Minister to speak on the recent tariff and justify the increase.