The Ikeja Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has issued a stern ultimatum to both the Federal Government and Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos), demanding a rollback to the previous electricity tariff within seven days, failing which they will face legal action.
During a press conference in Lagos on Tuesday, Mr. Seyi Olawunmi, the branch chairman, expressed strong disapproval of the nearly 300% increase in electricity tariffs, deeming it not only unjustifiable but also callous.
Olawunmi criticized the National Electric Regulation Commission (NERC) for its decision to implement the tariff hike, citing its lack of alignment with the current economic conditions faced by the average Nigerian.
He made it clear that should the Federal Government and relevant stakeholders fail to revert the unlawful electricity tariffs within the stipulated seven-day period, the branch would pursue appropriate legal recourse.
Olawunmi highlighted NERC’s issuance of a new Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO 2024) in December 2023, which outlined a purported cost-reflective tariff to be charged by the various Discos. He also pointed out that a significant portion of the electricity tariff was reportedly subsidized by the Federal Government.
The chairman underscored that the purported subsidy had been eliminated by the Federal Government, resulting in a drastic over 300% surge in the electricity tariff borne by end-users.
“We perceive this sudden and astronomical surge in the end-user tariff, regardless of the technical justifications put forth, as entirely exploitative and detached from the prevailing economic hardships experienced by the masses,” Olawunmi asserted.
He emphasized that the inflation and devaluation of the Naira have significantly impacted the services provided, making it practically unfeasible to maintain the previous tariff, further noting that the pricing of electricity in Nigeria is inadequate.
Consequently, the branch demanded an immediate cessation of the illicit implementation of the N225 per kWh imposed on the so-called band A customers, at the discretion of both the Discos and NERC, without any empirical basis.
Olawunmi also called for the abolishment of the classification into band A, B, C, D, or E, insisting that the Discos should either guarantee 24-hour supply to all or not categorize customers based on such criteria.
He contended that the government and the Nigerian populace cannot continue to subsidize the inefficiency of the Discos under the guise of band categorizations.
Should the government fail to reverse the illegitimate tariff hike within the specified seven-day timeframe, the NBA Chairman made it clear that the branch would have no alternative but to pursue appropriate legal remedies in the court of law.
