Youth Parliament Rejects NERC’s Proposed New Electricity Tariff

The Nigerian Youth Parliament has rejected the proposed increase in electricity tariff by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) saying  it would cause more hardship for the people amidst the fuel subsidy removal.

Speaker of the parliament, Azeezat Yishawu, in a press release issued to LEADERSHIP yesterday said youths would be affected more by the two developments because they are always struggling to cope with current realities where gainful jobs are not available.

She said unlike fuel subsidy removal, increase in electricity tariff has direct consequences on every person, business and key sectors.

“The proposed electricity tariff increase by NERC will further tip the social-economic life of the majority of Nigerians to the edge. Unlike subsidy removal, electricity has a direct impact on every sector of the country, from small businesses to giant production companies, the health sector, education and agriculture, especially in the processing and storage chain to mention a few.

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“As of 2020, only about 50 per cent of Nigerians have access to some sort of electricity. Mind you, this does not mean adequate regular power. In 2006, a prepaid meter was introduced to aid revenue collection and discard estimated billing system. However, after 17 years with trillions of naira in investments, purchase and distribution of these meters by NERC through its various programs, it is yet to provide prepaid meters to no more than five million Nigerians.

“According to NERC, only about 10 million Nigerians were registered customers in 2022 and about five million were using the prepaid meters. Despite claims by the government to ensure access to prepaid meters through the Meter Asset Providers programme, many Nigerians are still frustrated and exploited by the estimated billing system.

“This year alone, many Nigerians who have requested these meters still face challenges due to ambiguous delivery systems carried out by distribution companies coupled with the long waiting periods and technical issues which prevent customers from using meters when purchased,” she said.