By Miracle Ogunde
The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero, has criticised the service-based electricity tariff system that categorises users into bands based on service delivery by distribution companies, describing it as the “highest form of 419.”
Ajaero questioned the rationale behind grouping electricity consumers into bands, asserting that such a practice lacks justification. He labelled the system as discriminatory, arguing that it unfairly places some individuals in Band A while relegating others to lower bands.
This week, during a budget defence session at the National Assembly, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, stated that 90 per cent of Band A electricity users confirmed they were receiving the benefits of extended power supply. Adelabu added that plans were underway to migrate more customers to Band A to enjoy longer electricity hours.
Reacting to this on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, Ajaero expressed scepticism about the migration initiative.
“Now the ministry is talking about migrating from Band B to Band A, that is the highest level of 419 one can think of,” Ajaero remarked. He questioned the criteria for band categorisation, describing the idea as a fraudulent scheme designed to extract money from citizens unnecessarily.
“Who is in Band A and who is in Band B? Is it based on geographical area that you have Band A or Band B, or is it based on the dictates of the provider? In countries of the world that are targeting 24-hour power supply, why would somebody be talking about Band A or Band B? How would it happen? So, that idea is concocted to make money unnecessarily and say people are migrated,” he added.
The NLC president further challenged the government to clarify the conditions required to be placed in specific bands and condemned the discriminatory nature of the tariff system.
“What are the conditions to be on Band A? What are the conditions to be on Band B? Why would you discriminate? Why would you give me Band B and give somebody Band A? So, these are the issues,” he said.
Ajaero also criticised the Federal Government for allocating funds to power distribution companies, which are private entities, in the 2025 budget. He argued that public funds earmarked for improving the power sector could be redirected to other areas, while private companies should use their revenue to sustain their operations.
Under the service-based tariff system, Band A customers receive electricity for 20 hours daily, Band B a minimum of 16 hours, Band C a minimum of 12 hours, Band D a minimum of 8 hours, and Band E a minimum of 4 hours.
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