TVCE – The new electricity tariff recently released by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission will take effect from February 1, 2016, the commission has restated.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the NERC Head of Public Affairs, Usman Abba-Arabi, the regulatory agency has directed all the distribution companies to abide by this directive and should not connect new customers without first providing them with meters.

The statement noted that the acting Head of NERC, Anthony Akah, stated that the removal of fixed charge under the new tariff regime was in response to electricity consumers’ complaints.

The measure, according to NERC, was to ensure that electricity distribution companies improve on service delivery as their income was dependent on the quantity of electricity used by their customers.

The statement however reassured that the commission would continue to engage stakeholders and members of the National Assembly to address their concerns on the new tariff regime.

“NERC holds NASS in high esteem and assures that both institutions are working to ensure that national and consumer interests are protected.”