The Ondo State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Engr. (Dr.) Johnson Alabi, has debunked reports alleging that the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) secretly increased electricity tariffs in parts of the state.
Speaking in his office in Akure, the Commissioner described the reports as misleading and urged residents to remain calm, explaining that the development was due to the recent migration of some consumers from lower bands to Band A, which naturally attracts higher charges.
“The story making the rounds about a secret tariff hike is not true. What happened is that some customers were upgraded from lower service bands to Band A, which is costlier but comes with longer hours of electricity supply,” Engr. Alabi clarified.
He noted that the adjustments were made in the overall interest of consumers, emphasizing that they were not designed to cause hardship but to reflect improved electricity delivery and ensure fairness among customers based on supply levels.
“Without a doubt, there has been a notable improvement in power supply across the state. It is therefore fair that those who enjoy 20 to 24 hours of electricity under Band A are charged differently from those under Bands B, C, or D who receive fewer hours of supply,” he said.
According to the Commissioner, the current tariff structure as approved by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is as follows:
• Band A: 20–24 hours supply — ₦209.5 per kWh
• Band B: 16 hours supply — ₦64.7 per kWh
• Band C: 6–10 hours supply — ₦48.53–₦52 per kWh
• Band D: Below 6 hours supply — ₦42 per kWh
Engr. Alabi reaffirmed the commitment of the Aiyedatiwa administration to partner with Benin Electricity Ondo Limited (BEOL) in sustaining recent improvements in power supply and ensuring transparency in electricity billing.
He also appealed to residents to embrace energy-saving practices in their homes to reduce costs and promote environmental sustainability.
“We must all learn to manage energy wisely — turn off appliances when not in use and support government efforts to achieve a stable, reliable, and clean power system,” he advised.
