The University of Jos finds itself in a financial quandary as its monthly electricity bill skyrockets by a staggering 300%, reaching a daunting N80 million, while looming disconnection threats add to its woes.
Jos Electricity Distribution Plc management has issued a stern disconnection ultimatum over unpaid bills, exacerbating the university’s financial strain.
During a peaceful demonstration led by members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, University Vice Chancellor Prof. Tanko Ishaya disclosed this sharp escalation in expenses.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Ishaya attributed the surge from N20-30 million to N80 million to recent tariff hikes, particularly affecting Band A consumers.
Highlighting the severe financial strain, Ishaya emphasized the inadequacy of the government’s monthly allocation to cover the escalated electricity expenses. “We budgeted between N20 to N30 million monthly for our electricity bill, but with the new tariff, JED gave us a bill of N80 million for April,” Ishaya stated, underscoring the significant disparity between the university’s monthly overhead of N14 million and the current electricity costs.
Despite a recent increase in student charges aimed at managing these essential services, it has proven insufficient. ASUU members organized a peaceful protest to address the longstanding issue of non-implementation of agreements with the Federal Government.
Represented by Vice Chairperson Prof. Kiri Jaryum, ASUU presented its charter of demands to the vice chancellor, aligning with directives from the ASUU National Executive Council to address critical issues faced by the academic community.
Approximately two months ago, the federal government, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, approved a tariff hike for Band A consumers, as announced by NERC Vice Chairman Musliu Oseni. This hike would see customers paying N225 per kilowatt-hour, up from the existing N66.
However, in a recent development, NERC adjusted the exchange rate for calculating electricity tariffs for Band A customers by 16.03%, from N1,463.3/$ to N1,277.8, for May to December 2024, reflecting the naira’s appreciation in the foreign exchange market.
The university faces a daunting challenge as it grapples with soaring electricity costs amidst financial constraints and unresolved agreements, emphasizing the urgent need for sustainable solutions to safeguard its operations.
