In a recent interview on Channels Television, development economist Ayo Ayalowo criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission for maintaining the Band A, Band B, and Band C classifications despite the lack of consistent power supply in Nigeria.
Ayalowo highlighted that the rising energy prices, including electricity and diesel, are significant contributors to the increasing inflation rate in the country.
He called for a reevaluation of the government’s decision to implement a 240% electricity tariff hike for Band A customers who supposedly receive 20 hours of power supply but are still facing electricity shortages.
Suggesting a more rational approach, he emphasized the need to abolish the current band classification system and ensure affordable electricity for all Nigerians.
Proposing a marginal tariff increase for electricity consumers nationwide, Ayalowo criticized the unequal burden-sharing approach adopted by the Minister of Power and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
NERC had earlier announced a significant tariff hike on April 3, 2024, raising the electricity tariff to N225 per kilowatt-hour for Band A customers from the previous rate of N66. This decision faced backlash from various Nigerian organizations and citizens.
In light of recent power outages and the national grid collapse, which plunged the country into darkness, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) attributed the incident to a fire and reported that power had been restored following the outage.