Energy

Anti-Electricity Tariff Hike Rocks Abeokuta

By Web News 230 0

By Oluwatoyin Adegoke

Protest by the labour movement in Ogun State has paralyzed the activities of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

The MKO Abiola Way headquarters of the IBEDC and other outlets in the city were put under lock and key following the visit of organized labour to the premises earlier in the morning.

A combined team of both the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC, led by their chairmen, Comrades Hammed Ademola-Benco and Akeem Lasisi during a protest to the IBEDC office, called for the reversal of the tariff hike introduced by the federal government, describing it as totally unacceptable given the country’s prevailing economy. 

The labour leaders said workers were the worst hit by the electricity tariff hike, calling on the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, to desist from promoting what they described as anti-people policies.

They also urged President Bola Tinubu to reverse the hike and find a lasting solution to the issue.

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Energy

Oyo NLC Begins Protest against Electricity Tariff Hike

By Web News 213 0

By Olubunmi Agboola

The nationwide protest by organised labour against the recent increment in electricity tariff has commenced in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Our correspondent reports that the protest led by the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC in the state, Mr Kayode Martins, was staged at the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, Capital Building, Ring Road.

The protesters carried various placards with different inscriptions such as “Nigerian Workers and People Reject Increase in Electricity Tariff” and “Astronomical Increase in Electricity Tariff is not Acceptable”.

Speaking with newsmen, the Oyo NLC Chairman, Mr Martins said the protest would continue until the increment is reversed.

Mr Martins claimed that electricity tariff hike had brought more hardship on the masses and would not be accepted by Nigerian workers.

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Economy

Oyo Govt. Seals Off IBEDC Ibadan Office

By Web News 627 0

Oyo State Government has said it sealed Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, offices over the non-payment of accumulated taxes, charges and levies worth four hundred million five hundred and forty-six thousand one hundred and eleven naira, forty-one kobo (400,546,111.41) for over two years.

The State Internal Revenue Service (OYSIRS) took the step on behalf of the Oyo State Government due to the information reached OYSIRS that IBEDC would go into receivership and may be taken over by Assets Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON.

While addressing newsmen shortly after the exercise, the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Internal Revenue Service, Mr Femi Awakan made it known that the court injunction was received before the action was taken to forestall any illegality.

Mr Awakan stated further that the enforcement exercise is a warning to other taxes and levies defaulters and those that have not made returns on their Pay As You Earn, adding that the State Government will not take it lightly henceforth.

He broke down the accumulated taxes owed by IBEDC as follows:

1. Harmonised bills, N139, 440,000.00

2. Infrastructure bills N122, 590,000.00

3. Tax Audit bills N116, 516,111.41 

4. Signage bill N22, 000,000.00

All totalling N400, 546,111.41 (Four Hundred Million, Five Hundred and Forty-Six Thousand, One Hundred and Eleven Naira, Forty-One Kobo).

The enforcement exercise reached IBEDC at Ring Road, Dugbe, Monatan, Ojoo, Ibadan/Lagos express road, all within Ibadan metropolis.

The Chairman said, “We had to approach a Court of Justice so that we can collect the taxes and levies they owed, in order for the government to have enough funds to execute its programmes. The Court has given us the power to seal up their offices and premises until they pay”, he added.

Iyabo Adebisi

Energy

FG Approves Upward Review Of Electricity Tariff

By Web News 668 0

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has approved a review of electricity tariff for Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, increasing electricity cost for consumers under the franchise area.

IBEDC franchise area includes Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Kwara and parts of Niger, Ekiti and Kogi states.

The NERC in an order signed by its Chairman, Sanusi Garba and Commissioner Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye signed on the last day of 2020, the tariff increases will commence from July 1, 2021.

According to the order, tariff for customers in Band A with minimum supply of 20hrs daily will increase by #6.85 to N69.18 per kilowatt, a #10.98 percent rise.

Customers in Band B minimum supply of 16hrs daily will increase by #7.65 to N66.04/kilowatt from the present N58.9/kilowatt.

For customers in Band C with a minimum supply of 12hrs daily, the increase is N14.19 to N62.92/kilowatt.

The highest tariff increase will be for consumers in Band D with a minimum supply of 8hrs daily with N32.79 hike to N55.76/kilowatt from N26.97/kilowatt.

The NERC explained that the review was necessary following changes in inflation rate, foreign exchange, available generation, gas price, collection losses from ministries, departments and agencies of government, and Capex adjustments.

The NERC ordered that IBEDC shall be liable for service improvements in accordance with commitments under its universal service obligations for providing an electricity supply to customers.

The commission added that where there is a failure to deliver on committed service level over a period of 60 days, the rates shall be adjusted in line with the service delivered over the same period, upon verification by the Commission.

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