We Have Not Increased Electricity Tariff as Reports – NERC
By Shola Akingboye – August 23, 2019
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has come out clean on the controversial electricity tariff increase making the round, insists it has done no such tariff increase outside its tradition of engaging stakeholders in the electricity market in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities as enshrined by law. 
This was revealed in a press statement made available to RegentAfrica Times by the GM Public Affairs Department of the Commission, Dr. Usman Abba Arabi and titled : “Minor Review of the Multi-Year Tariff Order 2015 and Minimum Remittance Order for the Year 2019.”
NERC therefore expatiated the nitty gritty behind what it described as the expected statutory push in the tariff regime in line with the Multi Year Tarriff Order, (MYTO).
“The attention of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has been drawn to the publication in several electronic and print media that end-user electricity tariffs have been increased following the approval of the minor review (2016 – 2018) of the 2015 Multi Year Tariff Order on August 21, 2019.”
“We wish to provide guidance that the minor review implemented by the Commission was a retrospective adjustment of the tariff regime released in 2015 to account for changes in macroeconomic indices for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 thus providing certainty about revenue shortfall that may have arisen due to the differential between tariffs approved by the regulator and actual end-user tariffs.”
“The principal objectives of the review are clearly articulated in section 6 (a – f) of the Order which may be downloaded from the Commission’s website (www.nerc.gov.ng)”
“The Commission therefore wish to notify the general public that no tariff increase has been approved by the Commission vide the Order. However, the Commission in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities enshrined under the EPSR Act, shall continue to undertake periodic reviews of electricity tariffs in accordance with prevailing tariff methodology.
“In all instances of such reviews and rule-making, the Commission shall widely consult stakeholders and final decision shall take due regard of all contributions.” The statement reads.
