A work plan jointly adopted by the Federal Government and members of the organised labour late Sunday night, indicates that, from next Monday, the tariff hike will continue but with a reduction by about 10 per cent across customer categories A to C that were earlier affected.

The power Distribution Companies (DisCos) had hiked the electricity tariff by about 100% on September 1, 2020, after the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) approved that.

However, the customers including labour opposed this with planned protest leading to the Federal Government directing a two week suspension which elapsed last Sunday.

The document sighted by our reporter indicates that the one week extension was to ensure that some resolutions were implemented before continuing with the tariff hike.

One of such resolutions is that NERC will immediately create strategies to protect the salary of electricity workers.

Based on the Value Added Tax (VAT) generated in the electricity market, NERC will compute a 10% cut in the suspended Service Base Tariff (SBT) for Band A customers (those who have 20 hours and above daily power supply), 10.5% reduction for Band B (16 to 20 hours) and 31% reduction for Band C (12 to 16 hours) customers. This computation will form the basis of the new tariff from next Monday.

The Federal Ministry of Power will urgently work with NERC, CBN, the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency, NEMSA, and the DisCos to quickly deploy at least 1 million meters to customers from Monday till December 2020 while the DisCos are compelled to meet the 6m target period.

The document signed by President, Nigeria Labour Congress, Ayuba Wabba; President, Trade Union Congress, Quadri Olaleye; Labour Minister, Chris Ngige and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, created two ad-hoc technical committees.

The first co-opted the GMD of NNPC, Mele Kyari to review pricing of gas to power; NEMSA’s MD, Peter Ewesor is part of the second committee to immediately implement the 1m metering, all from October 12 to December 12, 2020.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) just announced a three-month ultimatum to IOCs engaged in cabotage trade to register all vessels used in coastal and inland water trade or risk sanctions.

At the expiration of the three months, NIMASA would notify relevant government authorities and the IOCs to bar vessels without valid cabotage certificates.

Operators are also to renew their Cabotage Operational Certificate/License for the vessels within the period.

The Director-General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, said the Maritime notice was part of efforts to ensure strict enforcement of the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003 and Guidelines on Implementation of the Coastal and Inland Shipping (Cabotage) Act 2003.

“Ultimately, our intention is to build and continue to enhance the capacity of Nigerians in the shipping industry in line with relevant international regulations.”

Reacting, former president of the Nigerian Ship-owners Association (NISA), Chief Isaac Jolapomo, threw his weight behind the actions of NIMASA, insisting that the move was long overdue.

Jolapomo who also blamed the system for the behaviour of foreign liners operating in Nigerian waters said the ban, if not truncated by the powers that be in the Maritime sector, is able to curb the excesses of owners of vessels.

“I say with due sense of responsibility that the action was long overdue. Most foreign vessels operating in Nigeria waters come from outside. They do not have any stake in the development of the sector. All they are interested in is to make their money and go.”

Maritime lawyer and human rights activist, Olisa Agbakoba, also hailed NIMASA on this. The former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), said those who evade paying government tax and to be sanctioned.

“Those who do not pay tax are law breakers and should not be allowed to operate. The Ministry of Finance is devising new ways of funding the 2021 budget and part of the move is to block all areas of revenue leakages in the maritime industry.”