Minister of Power, Sale Mamman
By Our Reporter
The Federal Government has directed the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to suspend implementation of the new electricity tariff till Janury 31, 2021.
This according to the Minister of Power will promote constructive conclusion of dialogue with labour centres through the joint ad hoc committee,
In a statement, Minister of Power, Sale Mamman, said the review from N2 to N4 per kWh should wait until the joint ad hoc committee concludes work by month end.
He tweeted: “To promote constructive conclusion of dialogue with labour centres through the joint ad hoc committee, I have directed NERC to stall implementation of the minor review (which adjusted tariff between N2 and N4 per kWh) until the conclusion of the committee’s work by end of January 2021.
“Contrary to claim that tariff has been increased by 50 per cent, the government continued to fully subsidise 55 per cent of on-grid consumers in bands D and E and maintained the lifeline for the poor and underprivileged. Those citizens have experienced no change to tariff rates from what they have paid historically (aside the recent minor inflation and forex adjustment).
“Partial subsidies were also applied for bands A, B and C in October 2020. These measures are aimed at cushioning effects of the (COVID-19) pandemic, while providing more targeted interventions for citizens’. Said Mamman
“The public is aware that the Federal Government and labour centres have been engaged in positive discussions about the electricity sector through a joint ad hoc committee led by Minister of State for Labour and Productivity and co-chaired by the Minister of State for Power. Great progress has been made in these deliberations, which are to be concluded at the end of January 2021.”
