The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory (NERC) has urged stakeholders in the electricity sector to engage in a public response to the request for electricity Distribution Companies to raise electricity tariff in the country.
Recall that the DisCos had last month advised Nigerians to buy bulk tariff due to the looming increase of the tariff they said was necessary as the prevailing situation is making them operate at a loss.
The increase was supposed to be effected on July 1st but it was suspended following outcry and the non-approval of NERC before the advisory was made.
NERC in a statement said based on the 2023 Electricity Act and other extant rules, the 11 DisCos have filed an application for rate review with the commission.
It stated that the request was premised on the need to incorporate changes in macroeconomic parameters and other factors affecting the quality of service, operations and sustainability of the companies.
“Accordingly, the commission hereby invites the general public for comments on the rate review applications by the distribution licensees,” it stated.
It advised interested stakeholders to partake in the review while taking cognizance to the excerpts of the rate review applications filed with the commission.
“The applications can be accessed on the commission’s website at www.nerc.gov.ng. As part of the rule-making process and in the exercise of the powers conferred by the Electricity Act, the Commission shall conduct a Rate Case Hearing on the applications prior to making a ruling”
It urged any person wishing to participate in the proceedings as an intervenor to forward their application to [email protected] before close of business on 20 July 2023.
“The Request to the participants shall include the following: an explanation of the person’s interest in the proceeding and how the party would be affected by the outcome of the Application; a description of the party’s concerns, observations, comments and/or objections to the application. All members of the public and stakeholders are encouraged to send their comments or representations before the close of business on 20 July 2023.”