Sodiq Ojuroungbe Electricity Recent hikes in electricity tariffs have generated widespread outcry due to the burden and suffering it stands to exert on Nigerians. SODIQ OJUROUNGBE writes that the newly implemented tariffs are crippling essential services in tertiary and private healthcare facilities located in areas classified as ‘Band A’ category, leaving them struggling to survive and on the brink of imminent shutdown In hospitals across the nation, especially in Lagos and Ogun states, the beeping, whirring and hissing sound of life-saving equipment relied on many for survival, now relatively competes with prepaid electricity meters gosling money as they tick widely away per second. The recent implementation of a new tariff increase of 1.
3 per cent for Band A customers by NERC, as captured in the Multi-Year Tariff Supplementary Order, has not in any way favoured healthcare facilities and has plunged many of them, especially teaching hospitals and privately-owned, into a desperate battle to stay afloat in the face of escalating costs, which threatens the very core of patients care. The new rate led to an increase from N206.80/kWh to N209.
50/kWh, a decision stakeholders say was ill-timed. According to NERC, the adjustment primarily aims to address pressing challenges plaguing the power sector and to improve the quality of supply across the country. However, its supporting defence was not received in good faith and the implementation went on amid calls by aggrieved Nigeria.