What to do if your DisCo has not complied with reversed electricity tariff this week

The Ministry of Power has urged Nigerians to report to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) if their electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) failed to comply with the directive to reverse tariff prices.

This was disclosed via the ministry’s Twitter handle on Thursday.

It tweeted, “Has your DisCo complied with the directive to reverse tariff prices issued by @NERCNG this week? Let us know via this handle or @NERCNG.”

READ: FG discloses how the problem of the power sector was created

https://twitter.com/PowerMinNigeria/status/1311693306259288065?s=19

Back story: Nairametrics had reported when the Nigerian Labour Congress and the Federal Government agreed to suspend the electricity tariff increase for a period of two weeks.

This was part of the agreement reached between Labour and the Government, as they deliberated to avert a nationwide strike that would have grounded an already deteriorating economy.

READ: COVID-19: Why banks would rather donate billions to FG than credit their customers’ accounts

Terms of reference for suspension of electricity increase for 2 weeks

The Terms of Reference (ToR) are as follows:

* To examine the justification for the new policy on cost-reflective Electricity Tariff adjustments.

* Both parties are to examine the justification for the new policy on cost-reflective tariff adjustment

* To look at the different Electricity Distribution Company (DISCOs) and their different electricity tariffs vis-à-vis NERC order and mandate.

* Examine and advise government on the issues that have hindered the deployment of the six million meters.
To look into the NERC Act under review with a view to expanding its representation to include organized labour.

* The Technical sub-committee is to submit its report within two weeks.
During the two weeks, the DISCOs shall suspend the application of the cost-reflective electricity tariff adjustments.

READ: Tariff Hike postponed till first quarter of 2021

The meeting also resolved that the following issues of concern to Labour should be treated as stand-alone items:
The 40% stake of government in the DISCO and the stake of workers to be reflected in the composition of the DISCOs Boards.

An all-inclusive and independent review of the power sector operations as provided in the privatization MOU to be undertaken before the end of the year 2020, with Labour represented.

READ: DisCos distribute relief items worth millions of naira to cushion lockdown effects

That going forward, the moribund National Labour Advisory Council, NLAC, be inaugurated before the end of the year 2020 to institutionalize the process of tripartism and socio dialogue on socio-economic and major labour matters to forestall crisis.