APPA, AECPF fault increase in electricity tariff, call it an insensitive move

Consumers have expressed disbelief and anger at the electricity tariff increase for a section of consumers by the federal government. Noting growing concerns that although the increase is limited to those categorized as Band-A consumers, it could within a short period spread to the others despite lingering power outages. All Electricity Consumers’ Protection Forum (AECPF) and the Association for Public Policy Analysts (APPA) faulted the move in interviews with news correspondents yesterday. Calling it insensitive, NERC defended the action on the basis that the majority (85 per cent) of electricity consumers are not affected. All Electricity Consumers’ Protection Forum National Coordinator Adeola Ilori, condemned the hike, saying it was implemented without due process. Ilori argued that the increase should have followed the prescribed procedures outlined in NERC’s regulatory directives as mandated by law. APPA National President, Princewill Okorie, regretted that the NERC has shown that it is always interested in raising tariffs without monitoring and making the DisCos keep to their Performance Improvement Plan. Okorie said there are many questions that the industry regulator has not been able to answer.