A power expert, Chinedu Bosah, has urged the federal government to review the 300 per cent increase in electricity tariff recently introduced by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Mr Bosah, the national coordinator of the Coalition for Affordable and Regular Electricity (CARE), appealed in an interview with journalists on Sunday in Lagos.

According to him, a comprehensive review of energy policies will ensure affordability and sustainability for all Nigerians.

Mr Bosah said the 300 per cent tariff hike was not consumer-friendly and urged labour unions to discuss it with the government.

He also urged the government to reconsider raising gas prices, which would ultimately increase consumers’ electricity costs.

Mr Bosah emphasised the burden placed on Nigerian working-class families by successive policy decisions, noting that the hike could add to the country’s economic challenges.

Also, Akinrolabu Olukayode, the chairman of the Customer Consultative Forum of Festac/Satellite Town, described the tariff hike as detrimental to consumers’ living standards.

Mr Olukayode said proactive government investment in the power sector is needed to improve infrastructure and service delivery.

He highlighted the challenges consumers face due to frequent power grid collapses and the reliance on expensive fuel for backup power generation.

Mr Olukayode also condemned the increase in gas prices, arguing that it would further burden consumers already struggling with rising costs.

He suggested alternative policies, such as selling gas in local currency, to boost revenue and alleviate pressure on consumers.

The expert warned of the dire consequences of continued tariff hikes and called for measures to protect consumers from further economic hardship.

On April 3, Musiliu Oseni, the vice chairman of NERC, announced the 300 per cent electricity tariff increase for Band A consumers in the country.

Mr Oseni said the increase would only affect 15 per cent of the electricity customers in the country.

Accordingly, power distribution companies (DisCos) will be allowed to raise electricity prices for urban consumers to N225 ($0.15) per kilowatt-hour from N68 this month, effective April 1. 

(NAN)