Mamman speaks on confusion over electricity tariff adjustment
- Nigerians can now heave a sigh of relief following the confusion over the new electricity tariff
- The federal government has issued a new directive concerning the matter and made certain clarifications
- The directives were contained in a statement issued by the minister in charge of power, Saleh Mamman
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The federal government has asked the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to revert back to the old electricity tariffs.
This was contained in a statement issued by the minister of power, Engineer Saleh Mamman on Thursday, January 7.
Source: Facebook
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Part of the statement read:
“The Nigerian government continues to fully subsidise 55% of on-grid consumers in bands D and E and maintain the lifeline tariff for the poor and underprivileged.
“Those citizens have experienced no changes to tariff rates from what they have paid historically (aside from the recent minor inflation and forex adjustment). Partial subsidies were also applied for bands A, B, and C in October 2020.
“These measures are all aimed at cushioning the effects of the pandemic while providing more targeted interventions for citizens.”
The last few days have been filled with confusion with the constant back and forth concerning the tariffs.
The minister's direct intervention is expected to douse the tension the news has generated in the last few days.
But, some Nigerians say the confusion over the matter suggests there is no coordination between the ministry of power and the agencies under its purview.
Legit.ng has been monitoring some comments on the minister's latest statement on Twitter.
Florence Awazi Ebuga asks:
“Are these continuous reversals done without authorization from the appropriate quarters?”
Bakon Dare wrote:
“The chairman and Managing Director of NERC should step aside, promptly too.”
On Nairaland, a Nigerian with the moniker: Fahdiga wrote:
“After the public outcry against it and also seeing Ghana giving their people free electricity to cushion the effects of Covid 19, this directionless regime have no option than to reverse the hike in tariff. Expect them to increase it again by next month.”
Dogged Fighter wrote:
“Order reversals but will never enforce or ensure implementation.”
Recall that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Wednesday, January 6, threatened to call for an industrial resistance if the new tariff is not reversed.
The president of the union, Ayuba Wabba, accused the federal government of trying to further imperil the local economy with the tariff hike.
Similarly, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) described the recent hike announced by the NERC is an act of betrayal.
TUC president, Comrade Quadri A. Olaleye, queried the decision while negotiations were still ongoing with organised labour over the previous increase.
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