By Chijioke Kingsley
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – The Spokesman for the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JED), Dr. Friday Elijah has informed its customers that the hike in electricity tariff has also affected the umpires of the distribution companies, because they are also energy consumers.
Elijah said the hike which is meant to reduce government burden on subsidy is not immune to electricity workers, adding that staff who are in “Band A” will also pay the same new tariff bill.
“Our parents, Siblings, Relatives, Friends are also all affected with the increment. This not limited only to the public, we are all in it”, he said.
The JED Spokesman who spoke with our correspondent on Monday advised customers to limit their electricity usages, saying that is the only way Nigerians will pay less.
“Let us be mindful the way we we use electricity. We must learn to switch off all appliances when we leave our house. Even while at home, we should also turn off light points that are not in-use. Our refrigerator should be regulated, so are other appliances”, he said.
Elijah informed that the company has also rolled out areas and locations in its franchised States that are in various Bands as segmented by the management.
Recall that the Ministry of Information in Abuja, had said the recent electricity tariff hike was the first step in government’s plan to completely remove subsidy payment.
The ministry had said federal government has spent about N2.9 trillion on electricity subsidy, adding that the government was still subsidising 85 per cent of the electricity supply in the country despite an increase in tariff for Band A customers.
Also recall that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) last week issued new directives to DisCos on the implementation of the April 2024 Multi-Year Tariff Order.
The directives were contained in a statement signed by NERC’s Deputy General Manager of Market Competition and Rates, Abba Terab.
NERC had, last Wednesday, ordered the immediate upward review of electricity tariffs from Wednesday, 3 April.
The electricity regulatory body had noted that the increase would not affect Bands B, C, D and E while noting that the number of customers previously on Band A has been reduced.
“Band A customers are offered an average daily electricity supply of 20 hours, although many complain they do not get up to that.
“Band A consumers represent 15 per cent of the population but consume 40 per cent of the nation’s electricity.
“DisCos will be allowed to raise electricity prices to N225 ($0.15) per kilowatt-hour from N68”, the NERC had said.
