Power consumers, on Saturday, expressed relief after it was confirmed that electricity distribution companies had not implemented the proposed hike in the tariff payable for electricity nationwide.
Some power distribution firms had announced on Sunday, June 25, 2023, that there would be a hike in tariff from July 1, 2023.
The Discos, however, backtracked the next day after widespread criticism, as they stated that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission had yet to approve the proposed hike.
But the development caused apprehension among power consumers as many prepaid consumers rushed to buy more units in their meters, while anticipating a possible hike in tariff.
It was, however, observed on Saturday, being July 1, 2023, that the Discos did not raise the tariff.
Findings by our correspondent showed that the tariff for power users on Band A, for instance, which stood at N68/kilowatt-hour as of Tuesday, June 27, 2023, remained the same on Saturday.
The halt in the tariff hike was also confirmed by some residents of the Federal Capital Territory, as they expressed relief over the development.
“It’s a huge relief for many of us, because it would have been terrible if they (Discos) had increased the tariff by 40 per cent as they earlier proposed,” Innocent Utulu, who resides in Kubwa, FCT, stated.
Another resident, Gbemisola Kenny, said, “Many people are finding it tough to cope with the over 150 per cent rise in petrol price, and they want to add another 40 per cent increase in electricity tariff? That would have been economically disastrous if it was implemented.”