EEDC hikes electricity tariffs
By Blessing Ajah
The Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC), has finally joined other Distribution Companies across Nigeria in the implementation of the new service reflective tariff, which took effect on September 1.
A press statement by its Head ofCof Communications, Mr. Emeka Ezeh, said the implementation was in compliance with the order by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), dated 27th August, 2020.
Ezeh explained that the new tariff plan would be a reflection of the service quality, which is not applicable to all customers, but to only those that enjoy more hours of power supply.
He noted also that the new tariff is expected to improve efficiency in delivering quality service to customers, and will equally ensure the sustenance of the operators within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
“In the new tariff Order, customers are classified into three major customers, namely: Non-MD, MD-1 and MD-2.
“In the same vein, five distinctive bands (A-E) has been created to reflect the various service levels and minimum hours of power supply, a situation where a blanket tariff no longer applies to all category of customers,” Ezeh said.
Explaining the new tariff order, he said:
“For instance, customers in ‘Band A’ are to enjoy daily minimum supply of 20 hours, those in ‘Band B’, minimum of 16 hours, ‘Band C’, minimum of 12 hours, ‘Band D’, minimum of 8 hours, while those in ‘Band E’, are expected to enjoy minimum daily supply of 4 hours.”
He said the impact of the reviewed tariff will only apply to customers in Bands A, B, and C; while the tariff for customers in Bands D and E remains frozen until their service quality is improved upon. He said it only when that stage is reached that they will be migrated to the Band that suits their supply availability.
Ezeh said the review is consistent with the outcome of the various stakeholders consultations for extraordinary tariff review applications held across Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states in February and March, this year.
He urged EEDC customers to desist from illegal activities that impact negatively on its operators, like meter bypass, energy theft, unauthorised access to the network, vandalism etc.
He said it is not possible for EEDC to be able to sustain any level of improvement if customers do not pay for the services.
