FG set to hike electricity tariff – minister

The Minister of Power, Engr Saleh Mamma, has said that the Federal Government is set to increase electricity tariffs as it expects the completion of power projects across the country.
He said the increase in electricity tariffs is inevitable in view of the rising cost of electricity generation in the country, adding that cost-ineffective tariff has a drawback on the operation of the energy distributors in the country.
Currently, the sector is implementing differential tarrif regime for the eleven power distribution companies (DisCos), as well as ensuring that customers pay tarrifs relative to their consumption of electricity, as specified by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
In a document sighted by The Nation, the Minister said the government is installing a 330KVA line as part of efforts to improve electricity supply in the North and other parts of the country.
Mamman said: “As part of efforts to improve supply of power to the Northern part of the country, a new 330 KVA line is about to be installed by the government. This, among other projects, would improve supply of electricity in Nigeria. With the improvement in power supply, the increase in tariffs in the country was inevitable, because the cost of generating electricity must be met by the operators.”
He urged Nigerians to be more responsible, by paying their electricity bills, adding the government is taking various measures, including the completion of going projects, to improve power supply.
The power distribution companies (DisCos) and other agencies are owing power generation firms (GenCos) over N1.3 trillion, stressing that collection and remittances have reduced below 30 per cent.
The sector, he noted, has introduced a policy titled: willing buyers and willing sellers, to double up supply of electricity to the consumers.
He said the policy intends to whistle down the supply value chain, where 2,000 megawatts(Mw) of electricity is stranded as a result of failure in the distribution chain.