The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, (AEDC) has disclosed it has added 45 new feeders to the Band A category of customers who would enjoy a minimum of 20 hours of electricity as stipulated by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The new feeders are majorly in the Asokoro, Wuye, Garki, Suleja, Apo and other areas of the capital city. This was disclosed by the Disco on their official X page where it described the feeder location and specific areas served by the feeder.
Other areas where feeders were upgraded to band A include; Suleja, Garki Area II, Wuse, Anyigba, Mpape, Jabi, Gwagwalada, Gwarimpa etc.
The Disco noted that the upgrade to band A for the affected feeder location is effective from June 1, 2024.
Similar upgrades across other DisCos
- In April, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) announced a more than 200% increase in electricity tariffs for Band A customers. This move is part of efforts to eliminate electricity subsidies and implement a cost-reflective tariff system in the power sector.
- Abuja Disco’s addition of new feeders to Band A is in line with similar actions by other distribution companies like Eko and Ikeja DisCos following the tariff hike.
- Band A customers are on specific feeders that receive a minimum of 20 hours of electricity daily. According to NERC, these customers account for approximately 17% of all electricity users in the country.
Protest against electricity tariff hike
- The decision to raise electricity tariffs for Band A customers has sparked public outrage, particularly among trade and labour unions nationwide.
- Organized labour members have protested the increase, while the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has advised its members not to pay the new tariff, claiming they were not consulted.
- MAN has instructed its members to continue paying the old rate of N66/kWh. The various electricity distribution companies have vowed to disconnect customers who fail to pay the new tariff under their band.
- The group has also filed a petition with NERC regarding the tariff hike, which is currently awaiting resolution.
- Furthermore, the Organised Private Sector (OPS) comprising all chambers of commerce and trade associations across the country had warned that the new tariff could lead to the shutdown of 65% of businesses across the country.
- The group stated that the over 200% hike in electricity tariff to N220/KWh then made Nigeria’s power cost the highest in the world. It warned that the hike could exacerbate the economic situation in the country and push more people into unemployment and poverty.