Power firms demand 200% increase in tariff

There may be a fresh increase of over 200 per cent in electricity tariff being paid by residential consumers if a proposal by power distribution companies to raise the average energy charge to N105 per kilowatt-hour from the current rate of 22.8KWH is approved.

This is coming less than eight months after about 45 per cent increase in tariff was imposed on electricity consumers nationwide.

The power firms attributed their latest push for tariff increase to high inflation rate in the country, scarcity of foreign exchange, devaluation of the naira and the huge debts being owed them.

Already, the Discos said they had hinted the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission about the proposal but no action had been taken on it yet.

The Chief Executive Officer, Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors, an umbrella body for the Discos, Mr. Azu Obiaya, confirmed the latest agitation for tariff increase, in an interview with our correspondent, stressing that it was important to raise the tariff to remain in business and serve the people well.

Azu said,