19 / 100 Powered by Rank Math SEO SEO Score Small Business Owners and NGOs Reject Proposed Tariff Hike Lagos — Small business owners and civil society organizations (CSOs) have strongly opposed the Federal Government’s proposed electricity tariff increase. The planned hike, which targets customers outside the Band-A category, is intended to improve the liquidity of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). However, critics argue that there is no justification for such an increase, especially given the country’s ongoing power supply challenges. Government’s Justification for the Electricity Tariff Review During the public presentation of the National Integrated Electricity Policy (NIEP) and Nigeria Integrated Resource Plan (NIRP) in Abuja, the Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, revealed that the government can no longer sustain the N3 trillion power sector subsidy. He highlighted that debts owed to power generation companies (GenCos) have soared to N4 trillion, making the financial burden unsustainable. Key Points from Minister Adelabu’s Statement: The Impact on Small Businesses and the Economy The Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON) has expressed concerns that any further increase in electricity tariffs would cripple many small and medium enterprises (SMEs). According to ASBON President, Dr. Femi Egbesola: Civil Society Groups Resist the Tariff Increase The Education Rights Campaign (ERC) and other advocacy groups have vowed to resist any proposed electricity tariff hike. ERC’s National Coordinator, Hassan Taiwo, stated: The Movement for Socialite Alternative (MSA) also rejected the proposed hike, arguing that electricity privatization has only benefited profiteers while neglecting investments in power generation. MSA’s General Secretary, Dagga Tolar, pointed out: NERC Introduces Consumer Protection Measures To address concerns over unfair pricing and service delivery, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has introduced a Customer Bill of Rights and Obligations. According to NERC Senior Manager, Mr. Pious Bakom: NERC advises customers to notify their distribution companies (DisCos) when vacating premises to avoid liability for unpaid bills. The commission urges Nigerians to familiarize themselves with their rights to promote transparency and accountability in the power sector. Conclusion The proposed electricity tariff increase has sparked significant opposition from small business owners, civil society groups, and labor unions. With Nigeria still struggling with frequent power outages and high electricity costs, many argue that the government should focus on improving supply reliability rather than increasing tariffs. As the debate continues, stakeholders will need to find a balance between ensuring sustainable electricity supply and protecting businesses and consumers from financial strain. Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) READ ALSO; Follow the LMSINT MEDIA channel on WhatsApp: Join Our WhatsApp Group Hear: Chat on WhatsApp Join our Telegram Channel Discover more from LMSINT STORE Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email. Type your email… Subscribe