Power distribution companies in Nigeria said that directive has not been issued to them by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, regarding the electricity tariff hike suspension as agreed by the Federal Government and the organized labour.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on Monday suspended the planned nationwide strike to protest the recent hike in electricity tariff and petrol prices after reaching agreement with the FG.
The strike action was suspended for two weeks during which DISCOs shall suspend the application of the cost-reflective electricity tariff adjustments.
Read more; Suspended strike – What NLC and TUC agreed with the Federal Government
However, Senior officials of power distribution companies said on Monday said that they were awaiting the NERC to come up with a new tariff plan to be implemented within the two weeks as agreed by the Federal Government and labour unions according to Punch report.
According to the report as at no order has been issued on by NERC to Discos on the matter as at 7pm on Monday thus leaving the Discos confused about the decision of the Federal Government and labour unions as regards the reversal of the hike in electricity tariff.
It would take the Discos three to four days for them to change their billing/vending platforms and revert to the old tariffs.
“There is no communication yet from the regulator on that matter and I wonder how that can be implemented because right now, it is causing confusion in the power sector,” said a senior official of a Disco in the northern region according to Punch.
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The report went on to say that sources at the commission confirmed that although there had been prolonged meetings on the matter at the NERC headquarters in Abuja, no order had been sent out to Discos as of 7pm on Monday.
“The whole thing is a bit complicated now. There have been series of meetings about it since (Monday) morning.”
Written by;
Ifunanya Ikueze