A Federal High Court in Kano has granted an order stopping the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) from implementing the new electricity tariff for Band A consumers.
The order was issued in response to a lawsuit filed by several companies, including Super Sack Company Limited, BBY Sacks Limited, Mama Sannu Industries Limited, Dala Foods Nigeria Limited, Tofa Textile Limited, and Manufacturers Association Of Nigeria Limited.
According to the presiding judge, Abdullahi Liman, “NERC and KEDCO are restrained from going ahead with the impending tariff pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed before it.”
Additionally, the order prohibits the defendants from “intimidating and threatening to disconnect the applicants’ electricity supply for non-acceptance of the new increased tariff.”
This development comes after NERC approved a significant increase in electricity tariffs for Band A customers, who will now pay N225 per kilowatt, up from N66, starting from April 3.
As noted, “customers under this category, who receive 20 hours of electricity supply daily, would begin to pay N225 per kilowatt…”
The sudden hike has been widely criticized, with the House of Representatives and other stakeholders calling on NERC to suspend the implementation of the new tariff.
