FG to ‘review’ electricity tariffs for Band B and C, says Power Minister

Maureen Aguta

The Federal Government has announced plans to review electricity tariffs for Band B and C customers as part of efforts to improve the power sector and attract investment.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja during the public presentation of the National Integrated Electricity Policy and Nigeria Integrated Resource Plan.

Adelabu clarified that the review does not automatically mean a tariff hike but rather an assessment aimed at enhancing last year’s progress and ensuring sustainable sector growth.

“We will look at the tariff again. I am not saying that we’re going to increase the tariff before I am misquoted,” he stated.

“We are going to look at it and see how we can improve upon our modest achievement of last year, not only to ensure that we grow the sector but also to invest more in revamping all these dilapidated infrastructures.”

The minister also expressed concerns over the slow migration of customers to Band A, attributing the delay to the reluctance of electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to invest in necessary infrastructure.

“The migration to Band A should have been faster, but we found out that the DisCos refuse to invest,” Adelabu said.

“A lot of investment is required for us to achieve an accelerated migration of lower-band customers into Band A. It is taking a lot of time,” he added.