Joe Ajaero, the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), has criticized the shift of electricity customers from Band A to Band B, pointing out the inequalities in power distribution and changes in tariff rates.
In an interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today, Ajaero makes this claim while discussing his main worries about Nigeria’s energy supply and the alleged disparities in the rate structure.
Ajaero describes the electricity distribution model as discriminatory, questioning the transparency and fairness of the process. He argues that customers under Band A often do not receive the promised 18-hour power supply, while some communities remain without electricity or lack awareness of their designated tariff band.
“Some communities are still without electricity, and residents do not even know their band classification. In countries targeting a 24-hour power supply, why are we still categorizing consumers into Band A and Band B?” Ajaero questions.
He also criticizes the Ministry of Power’s approach to service delivery, emphasizing that electricity consumers should only pay for the services they actually receive. “If a meter is not provided, how can customers be expected to pay ₦20,000 or ₦30,000 arbitrarily?” he states.
Ajaero highlights the lack of progress in renewable energy development, particularly the absence of solar power plants in Nigeria. He urges the government to invest in constructing new power plants, including solar and other renewable energy projects, to enhance electricity supply across the country.
The NLC Chairman calls for a nationwide approach to achieving a stable power supply, ensuring fairness in electricity tariffs, and promoting renewable energy to improve access for underserved communities.
Key Developments in Nigeria’s Power Sector
- In July 2024, several electricity distribution companies (DisCos) announce an increase in tariffs for Band A customers, setting the revised rate at ₦209.5/kWh, up from ₦206.80/kWh.
- In November 2024, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu states that achieving a 24-hour power supply in Nigeria requires $10 billion in private-sector investments over the next five to ten years.
- As of November 2024, Nigeria records approximately 2 million Band A customers among its 13 million registered electricity subscribers.
Ajaero is still an advocate for a fair and open system of electricity distribution, emphasising the need for legislative changes that put consumer rights and the advancement of the country’s energy sector first.
