The Lagos State Government has announced plans to phase out the electricity band classification currently being used across the country as part of a wider push for stable power supply in the state.
The band classification introduced by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) in 2024 placed customers into different bands from A to E. Band A customers are premium users enjoying a minimum of 20-hour stable supply and required to pay the real cost of electricity.
Conversely, customers in bands B to E enjoy government subsidies but with fewer electricity supply periods.
However, the Lagos State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye revealed that the state is working on a stable electricity supply system that would not require band classifications.
The government’s planned move follows the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission’s oversight on the state’s energy market. Hence, the government intends to facilitate adequate electricity supply for households and businesses in Lagos.
“What we are saying is, is it impossible to have a continuous power supply? The governor has thrown the challenge and even repeated it again this morning. Is it impossible to have a 24-hour power supply?”
He furthered that;
“I strongly believe that we can do it. We have seen it before in this city. Banding is not what we want to focus our attention on,” he said.
Meanwhile, the commissioner stated that the government does not intend to allow electricity subsidy. As such, consumers will pay the real cost of electricity supplied to them.
