The Federal Government has rejected suggestions that electricity tariffs are set to rise, saying its priority is to improve supply and reinforce the power sector without placing an extra burden on consumers.
Government position
Minister of Power Joseph Tegbe made the clarification on Monday during a media briefing in Abuja. He said there was “no plan to increase electricity tariffs,” describing the position as a firm policy statement rather than a political declaration.
Tegbe said President Bola Tinubu’s administration was focused on fixing the electricity system and expanding reliable supply, not introducing higher charges for households and businesses.
Promises and sector assessment
The minister said that when Tinubu appointed him to lead the power ministry, he committed to four objectives: applying discipline to the sector’s problems, achieving a more stable grid through planned reforms, delivering measurable step-by-step gains, and strengthening the overall electricity value chain.
- An initial review of the industry found difficulties across every part of the electricity supply chain.
- Gas deliveries to power plants were constrained by damaged pipelines and commercial arrangements that failed to encourage fresh investment.
- Electricity generation relied too heavily on thermal facilities, many of which had ageing machinery, postponed maintenance and unfinished projects.
- Although generation capacity existed, much of it could not be delivered to consumers.
- The assessment also found that generation companies were receiving payment for only 27 per cent of their invoices, leaving them short of the funds needed to maintain plants and settle bills owed to gas suppliers.
