Enugu’s power adviser, Joe Aneke, says NERC lacks the authority to override state electricity tariff decisions, defending the ₦160/MWh Band A rate.
Enugu State’s electricity commission has defended its decision to reduce Band A tariffs from ₦209/kWh to ₦160/kWh, asserting that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has no legal authority over state-set tariffs. Joe Aneke, Special Adviser to the Governor on Power, made this clear during a Tuesday meeting with state commissioners in Abuja.
Aneke stated that Enugu’s tariffs are independently developed using local data and software, not NERC models. He criticised NERC for issuing public comments without seeking clarification and emphasised that the Enugu Power Commission regulates only distribution, while generation and transmission remain under NERC.
He dismissed claims that the tariff reduction was political, highlighting EEDC’s misclassification of some Band A customers. Aneke called for collaboration between federal and state regulators to avoid conflicts.
Power Minister Adebayo Adelabu echoed the need for coordination, warning that fragmented regulation could harm the electricity market and deter investment.
Officials agreed on the importance of clarity and cooperation to ensure reliable and affordable power nationwide.