The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has approved the increase of tariffs for customers under the Band A classification.
Breaking the news at a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, NERC’s Vice Chairman, Musliu Oseni, said the increase would see the customers pay N225 kilowatt per hour, as against the current rate of N66.
The new tariff represents an increment of over 300 percent.
Band A consumers usually enjoy 20 hours of electricity supply daily.
According to Oseni, these customers represent some 15 percent of the 12 million electricity customers in the country.
He added that NERC downgraded some customers from Band A to Band B, following distribution companies (DisCos) non-fulfilment of the required hours of electricity to such consumers.
Oseni 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 percent now qualify as Band A feeders. These feeders only service 15 percent 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.”
However, he said that review exempted customers on other Bands.