By Aduragbemi Omiyale
One of the leading energy distribution companies in Nigeria, Ikeja Electric Plc, has hinted that it would gradually migrate more customers to the Band A category from the others.
On Wednesday, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announced an almost 300 per cent increase in the electricity tariff of Band A customers to N225 kilowatt per hour (KWH) from N68 kwh.
Power consumers in the level are guaranteed between 20 and 24 hours of electricity per day, while the tariffs of customers in Band B to E were left unchanged by NERC.
The government explained that it raised the price paid by consumers for a unit of energy because it was becoming too expensive to subsidize power for citizens, especially at a period when it was earning less than before.
In an update to its customers on Thursday, Ikeja Electric via a Facebook post disclosed that its customers in the other categories would be moved to the premium level.
“The gradual transition from subsidized tariff to a cost reflective regime has commenced with the upward tariff review of our Band A feeders to N225/kwh effective April 4, 2024, with guaranteed availability of 20-24 hours supply daily.
“The tariff for Bands B, C, D, and E remains unchanged.
“Customers can be assured that this development will lead to improved service delivery across all Bank A feeders and the gradual upgrade of the other feeder bands to Band A,” the statement signed by the management read.