From Rhoda Godwin, Yenagoa
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‎For many electricity consumers in Bayelsa State, the fear of being moved to a higher tariff band without enjoying improved power supply has become a recurring concern. But the Bayelsa State Electricity Regulatory Agency (BYERA) has taken a firm position, insisting that electricity customers must first experience better service before any tariff upgrade can be considered.
‎In a move aimed at protecting consumers while encouraging improvements in electricity distribution, BYERA has approved a structured Service Improvement Programme for customers on the Imiringi and Government House feeders within the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) network.
‎The approval, issued on July 13, 2026, authorises PHED to embark on comprehensive network rehabilitation, feeder reinforcement, metering expansion, loss reduction, and other operational upgrades designed to improve electricity supply on the two feeders.
‎However, BYERA made it clear that the approval should not be interpreted as permission to migrate customers to the premium Band A category or begin charging Band A tariffs.
‎According to the Agency, customers on the affected feeders will continue to pay their existing electricity tariffs until PHED demonstrates consistent compliance with the service standards required for Band A customers.
‎Speaking through a public notice signed by its Director-General, Dr RosaLyn Dressman, the Agency emphasised that any future migration must be evidence-based, and independently verified.
‎The Agency explained that before any tariff adjustment can take effect, PHED must prove that customers are receiving the minimum daily electricity supply required under Band A. BYERA will independently verify daily supply hours, outage records, network reliability, metering coverage, and overall service quality before granting any approval.
‎In addition, PHED is expected to establish effective customer engagement systems, complaint resolution mechanisms and regulatory reporting structures before any tariff review is considered.
‎BYERA also directed the distribution company to submit a detailed implementation timetable, metering rollout strategy, customer engagement plan, and periodic performance reports as work progresses.
‎To ensure transparency, the Agency disclosed that it will carry out technical inspections, and engage directly with electricity consumers throughout the implementation period.
‎Consumers on the Imiringi and Government House feeders have also been encouraged to play an active role by keeping copies of their electricity bills and payment receipts, recording daily supply hours where possible, and reporting any unauthorised tariff increase, excessive billing, or prolonged power outage to the Agency.
‎Dressman reiterated that consumer protection remains at the heart of BYERA’s regulatory mandate.
‎She stressed that no electricity distribution company would be allowed to impose higher tariffs without first delivering measurable improvements in service, noting that any future Band A classification must be based on transparent, verifiable and independently confirmed performance.
‎Industry observers say the decision signals a shift toward stronger electricity regulation in Bayelsa, where consumer welfare is being placed alongside the need for improved power infrastructure.
‎If successfully implemented, the Service Improvement Programme is expected to reduce estimated billing through increased metering, improve accountability in electricity distribution and provide a transparent benchmark for future service classification.
‎For residents of Imiringi and Government House feeders, the message from the regulator is clear: better electricity must come before higher bills.