The NUEE had threatened to withdraw its services if the government did not reverse its decision to remove the subsidy on the tariff payable by Band A customers.

The National President of the NUEE, Adebiyi Adeyeye, reiterated the union’s stance, stating that the supply of 20 hours of electricity is not feasible with the current infrastructure. He expressed concern that the tariff hike would lead to confrontations between staff and customers, as many areas do not receive the promised 20 hours of power supply.

Adeyeye emphasized that the union has not yet issued an ultimatum on strike action but is advising the government to address the issue before the union decides to withdraw its services.

He highlighted the challenges faced by union members, including attacks from customers and unrealistic targets set by distribution companies.

READ ALSO: NERC Approves Sharp Increase in Electricity Tariffs for Band A Customers

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, urged the union not to proceed with the strike, emphasizing that the government is working to improve the power supply in Nigeria for the benefit of all citizens.

He appealed to the union to understand the reasons behind the tariff hike and assured them that it would ultimately benefit the economy and create jobs.

The union insists that the tariff hike is unjustifiable and is calling on the government to reconsider its decision.

However, the government is urging the union to be patient and work together to resolve the challenges facing the power sector.

The post Federal Government Appeals to Electricity Union to Halt Strike Threat Over Tariff Hike appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

According to Musliu Oseni, the Vice Chairman of NERC, customers in this category, who receive 20-24 hours of electricity supply daily, will now be charged N225 per kilowatt-hour (KW/h), up from the previous rate of N66.

This adjustment in tariffs has sparked controversies, particularly regarding the classification of subscribers and concerns that customers may be charged more than their actual consumption.

To help customers determine their feeder bands, Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company PLC (IBEDC) have provided simple steps:

READ ALSO: NERC: Over 20% of Band A Consumers Lack Prepaid Meters, Face Estimated Billing

For IKEDC customers:

1. Visit www.ikejaelectric.com
2. Click on Customer Service
3. Click on Customer Feeder Information
4. Click on Customer Feeder Verification
5. Enter your account or meter number to verify your feeder details.

For IBEDC customers:

1. Visit https://ibedc.com
2. Click on Customer Service
3. Click on Customer Feeder Information
4. For postpaid customers, enter your account number. For prepaid customers, enter your meter number.
5. Click ‘Get Info’ to verify your feeder details.

READ ALSO: NERC fines AEDC N200m for overcharging customers, orders refund

Similar processes are available for customers under the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) on their respective websites.

The post NERC Approves Sharp Increase in Electricity Tariffs for Band A Customers appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

As a result, these consumers will be subjected to estimated billing, a practice widely criticized for its potential for manipulation and shortchanging of consumers.

Band A customers, who enjoy a minimum of 20 hours of electricity daily, are expected to have transparent billing processes to control their bills.

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This group has experienced a 230 percent tariff increase in the recently announced tariff structure, raising the rate to N225 per kilowatt-hour from N68 per kilowatt-hour.

In response to this challenge, Dr. Musiliu Oseni, Vice Chairman of NERC, has directed Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to prioritize metering Band A customers. However, many DisCos may be unable to immediately deploy meters as prepaid meters are not readily available.

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Affected consumers, especially small businesses, are considering rejecting any estimated bill and are prepared to shut down if DisCos disconnect them due to unsettled bills.

READ ALSO: Abuja Residents Voice Concerns Over Electricity Supply Challenges

Additionally, Organised Labour is reportedly planning to present a new minimum wage demand following the recent hike in electricity tariffs by the Federal Government. The Labour groups, including the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), had previously presented a joint minimum wage demand, which may now need to be adjusted to accommodate the new electricity tariff hike.

The post NERC: Over 20% of Band A Consumers Lack Prepaid Meters, Face Estimated Billing appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

Adelabu emphasized the need for Nigerians to adopt more responsible energy consumption habits, noting that some citizens leave appliances like freezers and air conditioners running even when they are not at home. He pointed out that this behavior not only wastes electricity but also contributes to the strain on the national power grid.

“The bitter truth we all need to tell ourselves as Nigerians is that a few people are just privileged to sit on the high table. We’re on the same level, and we must be able to tell the truth to ourselves,” Adelabu said.

He further highlighted the contrast in attitudes towards power consumption between Nigeria and other countries, citing the conscientiousness of power consumers overseas. Adelabu urged Nigerians to emulate this behavior and be more mindful of their electricity usage.

READ ALSO: Abuja Residents Voice Concerns Over Electricity Supply Challenges

Adelabu’s comments come in the wake of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) approval of an increase in electricity tariffs for customers under the Band A classifications. Starting from April 3, customers receiving 20 hours of electricity supply daily will pay N225 per kilowatt (kW), nearly triple the previous rate of N66 per kilowatt (kW).

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The minister’s remarks serve as a reminder of the importance of efficient energy consumption practices and the need for Nigerians to adopt a more sustainable approach to using electricity.

The post Minister of Power Criticizes Nigerians for Wasteful Power Consumption appeared first on Housing TV Africa.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved an upward price review for prepaid electricity meters used in the country.

The new prices are effective from September 5, 2023. A single-phase prepaid meter will now cost N81,975.16, up from N58,661.69. A three-phase prepaid meter will now cost N143,836.10, up from N109,684.36.

The approved prices are exclusive of the 7.5% Value Added Tax (VAT).

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NERC said the new price regime was to ensure a fair and reasonable pricing of meters to both Meter Asset Providers (MAPs) and end-user customers.

The circular quoted NERC as saying:

“Ensure MAP’s ability to recover reasonable costs associated with meter procurement and maintenance while ensuring that their pricing structure allows for a viable return on investment. Evaluate the affordability of meter services for consumers, aiming to prevent excessive pricing that could burden end-users. Ensure that MAPs can provide meters to end-use customers in the prevailing economic realities.”

The new price review has been met with mixed reactions from consumers and stakeholders. Some consumers have expressed disappointment, saying that the new prices are too high. Others have welcomed the move, saying that it will help to ensure that MAPs can recover their costs and provide meters to more consumers.

It remains to be seen how the new price review will impact the availability and affordability of prepaid electricity meters in Nigeria.

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SOURCE: Taiwo Ajayi

The post NERC Approves Upward Price Review for Prepaid Electricity Meters appeared first on Housing TV Africa.