Confusion as Disco announces tariff increase, NERC silent

There was confusion on Saturday over the increase in electricity tariff after a document allegedly released by Eko Electricity Distribution Company claimed that the power sector regulator had approved tariff hike.

Efforts to get the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to react to the document were abortive, as the spokesperson for the agency, Usman Arabi, refused to pick calls.

He also did not reply a text message sent to him by newsmen.

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Although Eko Disco later denied the document, it had allegedly informed its customers earlier that the NERC had directed Discos to increase tariff beginning from September 1, 2021.

In the document, with reference  023/EKEDP/GMCLR/0025/2021, dated August 25, 2021, it was alleged that the Disco officially informed its customers on the decision of upward tariff adjustment effective from September 1, 2021.

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“The increase will be reflected on the energy bill for October 2021, which will represent energy consumption for September 2021,” the Disco allegedly stated.

In the notice to power users with meters, the Disco allegedly said, “For metered customers with internal vending arrangements, we urge you to adjust the rates accordingly to reflect the new tariff increase as released by NERC.”

But the Managing Director, EKEDC, Adeoye Fadeyibi, denied the document in a public notice which he personally signed on Saturday.

He said, “Our attention has been drawn to news making the rounds in the media from unsubstantiated sources of a planned adjustment in electricity tariffs.

“Eko Electricity Distribution Plc would like to inform the general public to disregard all such reports not emanating from the management or the company’s website – www.ekedp.com.     ,,