The Nigerian government has approved a 240.9 percent increase in electricity tariff for customers under the band A classification.
This was disclosed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) vice chairman, Musliu Oseni, during a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday.
Oseni said customers under the classification, who receive 20 hours of electricity supply daily, will now pay N225 per kilowatt (kW), up from N66.
He, however, clarified that the rate increase will only affect 15 per cent of the electricity customers in the country.
Oseni also revealed that these customers, who represent 15 per cent of the population, also consume 40 per cent of the nation’s electricity.
He said, “We currently have 800 feeders that are categorised as Band A, but it will now be reduced to under 500. This means that 17 per cent now qualify as Band A feeders. These feeders only service 15 per cent of total electricity customers connected to the feeders.
“The commission has issued an order which is titled April supplementary order and the commission allows a 235 kilowatt per hour.”
He added that the review will not affect customers on the other Bands.
The development comes amid Monday’s announcement by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority of an increase in the price of natural gas, which is used to generate more than 70 per cent of electricity in Nigeria.
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