THE new electricity tariff order, which became operational on February 1, was carried out after wide consultation and in strict compliance with extant rules and judicial pronouncements, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) insisted yesterday.
NERC, which said it would restrain itself from delving into a matter already before the court, noted that has taken note of the protest by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and its allied unions.
The commission’s Head, Public Affairs Department, Dr. Usman Abba Arabi, who said this in a statement, added that the commission was committed to act in the best interest of electricity customers and opeartors in the development of the electricity industry.
“The tariff regulation process entails wide consultation with stakeholders. In addition, the Electric Power Sector Reform (EPSR) Act 2005 empowers any party aggrieved or dissatisfied by the decision of the commission to appeal to it within 60 days from the date of the decision. Therefore, the commission is still open to further consultation.
“On the issue of the Court Injunction, we wish to state that the commission is a law-abiding government body with respect and regard for the judiciary and the rule of law. The commission will not contravene any court order. However, we wish to state that we must all exercise restraint to allow the court to do its duty of determining the matter before it.”