By Lizzy.
The Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission KERC has assured consumers of her commitment to uphold cost – effective tariff that will be beneficial to all the Stakeholders in the state.
This disclosed today at a Stakeholders engagement on the State Electricity Tariff Setting Process.
This is one of KERC’s Regulatory functions to set a cost-reflective Tariff for the State as the current electricity Tariff in the State is designed by Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission NERC.
The main purpose of the Issue-day Conference is to validate Tariff assumptions, examine key cost divers, review service obligations, evaluate investment requirements, consider consumer protection measures and obtain stakeholders input before Tariff determination.
The Chairman/CEO KERC Engr. Ibrahim Sunday Abbdwaaris in his opening address noted that KERC’s mandate is to protect consumers while ensuring the SubCo remains financially viable and profitable to attract investment in order to serve the consumers.
“Any Tariff we approve must be fair, cost-reflective, transparent, and based on verifiable data. That is the law and that is our commitment” says Engr. Abbdwaaris.
The Chairman/CEO further emphasized that electricity Tariff is not a bill rather it’s the contract between the service provider and the people of Kogi State because it determines if Kogi Electricity Distribution Limited KEDL can invest in New transformers, if Power, Equipment ,and Electrical Machinery Development Institute PEEMADI can supply meters locally, if industries can run, and if household can afford light.
He reiterated that the conference was not a decision-making day. KERC will review all comments received today and those submitted in writing until 9 July 2026 before issuing the final Tariff Order.
“Our goal is one: reliable, affordable electricity for every Kogi citizen”. Says Engr. Abdulwaaris.
The Chief Economic Adviser to the Kogi State Government, Honorable Aliyu Salami urged KERC to position Kogi State as gate way for electricity investors and this process of Tariff setting will determine how electricity investors will flow into the state.
Hon. Aliyu pledged to collaborate with KERC to attract more investors into the electricity market of the State.
The Honorable Commissioner for Ministry of Rural and Energy Development Honorable Abdulmutalib Mohammed in his Goodwill message commended KERC for the role it has played so far in the electricity market since inception.
Engr. Abdulmutalib noted that KERC’s primary objective is to build a viable economic business and ensure consumers protection right in Kogi State.
“We are here today to fulfil the core mandate of KERC, which is Tariff modeling” says Engr. Abdulmutalib.
Engr. Abdussalam Yusuf (PhD)Commissioner for Market, Competition, and Rate KERC in his presentation talked about the importance of electricity Tariff setting because it the Regulatory process use to determine how much customers pay for the electricity.
In his remarks, Engr. Abdussalam said, “Money is a coward; it will not go where it cannot return.” He therefore noted that tariff setting must ensure investors receive a return on investment while consumers also enjoy
affordable tariffs.
He noted that in setting tariff for Kogi State, KERC will eliminate the band classifications of A, B, and C. Under the proposed structure, all consumers will enjoy the same duration of supply and pay the same tariff rate.
Engr. Abdusaalam further explained to stakeholders that tariffs for public schools and hospitals will be set slightly lower. This is to reflect that the primary users of these facilities are low income earners.
He therefore urged KEDL to ensure that by 2030, about 90% of electricity users are metered, as this will curb electricity theft and in turn reduce Aggregate Technical, Commercial and Collection, ATC&C, losses from the present 42% to 25% or less he added.
Engr. Micheal Meliga, Commissioner for Engineering, Performance, and monitoring KERC, explained that quality and regular electricity is not cheap but it can be affordable with the right Tariff.
He went further to say that the right Tariff is that which is affordable to consumers and also allow KEDL to have return on investment and return of investment.
He task KEDL to bring fatality rate to zero percent and also ensure that materials needed for their staff to trace and rectify faults are made available.
” We will do our part and KEDL should also do their part to ensure sustainable electricity market that is safe, affordable and reliable” says Engr Meliga.
Engr. Emmanuel Ogwuche, Regulatory Chief & Efficiency Officer,
from Abuja Electricity Distribution Company AEDC, appreciated the efforts of KERC towards KEDL and reiterating that their company represents brand that belief in the potential of Kogi State.
Engr. Emmanuel urged KERC that the Tariff that will be determined should be such that will sustain the market and meet the expectations of key stakeholders also to protect the Regulatory integrity.
Also present were other stakeholders who contributed through questions and remarks: Mr Desmond Eboh Acting Managing Director KEDL, Mr. Iliyasu Zakari, Chairman, Light Up Committee; Mr Benson Oyityoda Godwin, Federal University Lokoja; Engr. Abutu U. Shaibu, Prince Abubakar University Ayimba; Atebije Sunday Mamodu, Kogi State House of Assembly; Mr. Ahmed S. Mohammed, Immigration Office Lokoja; Hon. Abu O. Jibril, Member representing Ajaokuta Constituency; representatives from Lugard TV Lokoja and Graphic Newspaper, security personnels from Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA and other participants who joined virtually.
