“They’re Deceiving You — Your Light Will Begin to Go Off” — Discos Threaten Blackout Over Tariff Cut in Enugu

The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED) has issued a stern warning that Band A customers in Enugu State may face power outages if they adhere to the newly reduced electricity tariff of ₦160 per kilowatt-hour, as mandated by the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC).

Speaking in an interview with TVC on Thursday, ANED’s Executive Director, Research and Advocacy, Sunday Oduntan, cautioned electricity consumers not to be misled by the new directive, which lowers the Band A tariff from ₦209/kWh to ₦160/kWh. The revised pricing was part of a recent Multi-Year Tariff Order (MYTO) issued by the EERC to MainPower, a subsidiary of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC).

Oduntan warned that such a reduction is unsustainable and could reverse progress made in the power sector. “If you are in Band A and in Enugu, and they are now asking you to pay ₦160 per kilowatt-hour, they are deceiving you,” he said. “At the end of the day, your light will begin to go off. We are talking about cost recovery. We don’t want to return to those dark old days when liquidity issues crippled the sector.”

The tariff cut has sparked controversy in Nigeria’s power industry, with not only Discos but also generation companies expressing concern over its financial implications. Critics argue that the lower rate does not support operational costs and may discourage investment in power infrastructure.

Meanwhile, the federal government has distanced itself from endorsing a nationwide reduction of Band A tariffs, citing its ongoing struggle with a ₦5 trillion electricity debt burden.

Consumer advocacy groups, including the Electricity Consumer Protection Advocacy, have also voiced skepticism about the enforceability of the EERC’s directive, calling for greater transparency in its implementation by MainPower.