The President Goodluck Jonathan-led Federal Government has reduced electricity tariff by over 50 per cent.
The Chief Executive Office of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Sam Amadi, who announced the tariff reduction, yesterday, said the approval followed complaints against the increase in tariff of different consumer classes by industrial and commercial consumers under the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN).
Amadi added that NERC invited the CEOs of power distribution companies for talks following the complaints. NERC said after a review of the electricity tariff, it was discovered that the hike was too high because power distribution companies were passing on collection losses to consumers.
He said that the Federal Government decided to intervene to save Nigerians the trauma of paying through their noses for electricity they did not consume. Amadi added that the power distribution companies have been advised to ensure improved power supply before contemplating any further increase in electricity tariff.
The question Nigerians are asking is if this not just another Greek gift few days to the election taking into cognizance the sudden scarcity of fuel after the Federal Government reduced the pump price by N10 to N87. In many places, petrol is sold at N100 per litre.
