The Senate has directed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing under the leadership of Babatunde Fashola (SAN) to halt further implementation of the new electricity tariff.
The Senate gave the directive on resumption of plenary on Tuesday after a two weeks suspension to consider the 2016 budget proposals of Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the directive followed a motion under “Matter of Urgent National Importance” moved by Senator Suleiman Nazif (APC, Bauchi).
Nazif argued that in view of the current economic hardship in the country, the increase in electricity tariff would have multiplier effect on Nigerians, manufacturers and the economy.
He said: “Most consumers are not metered in accordance with the signed privatization Memorandum of Understanding in 2013, which stipulates that all customers are to be metered.
“The Distribution Companies have continued to exploit Nigerians by estimated billing system and deliberately refusing to make pre-paid meters available.
“This increase will pave way for additional heavy burden on Nigerians and coupled with the challenges of the economy, it will affect the purchasing power of Nigerian workers.”
Supporting the motion, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, said Nigerians were already on “life support” in view of the harsh economic realities they faced.
Ekweremadu supported the rejection of the new tariff, stressing that as representatives of the masses, the lawmakers would only support policies that were favourable.
He said: “As Nigerians, we are now on life support.
“This increase is evil and we must as a Senate ensure that we insist on the reversal of this increment.
“There is already poverty and hardship.
“Any additional load on Nigerians means we do not want them to be alive.
“We must be able to ensure that their welfare is protected.”
Senator Albert Bassey (PDP Akwa Ibom) also joined in rejecting the new tariff, saying that the Senate must take a stand to protect the interest of Nigerians.
Bassey said: “How can anyone increase the tariff when things are high?
“Why will a government agency do that?
“We need to be firm.”
On his part, Senator Dino Melaye called on electricity generation and distribution companies to repay loans they obtained from the Federal Government to procure meters for their customers.
Melaye said: “This increase makes it the fourth time that electricity tariffs will be up after the privatization of the power sector.
“Their excuse has always been that they want to improve on electricity.
“There was a time that the government gave loans to distribution and generation companies to buy meters and give to customers.
“They are yet to pay back that loan.
“We need to take a stand and mandate the government to reduce the tariffs.
“There was no negotiation with the Senate or Labour.
“They arbitrarily increased the tariffs and expect us not to talk.”
The President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Salraki, mandated the committees on Labour and Power to meet with the relevant agencies of government and find a lasting solution to the issue.
Saraki urged the committees to conduct public hearing into the issues.
He said: “NERC should forthwith suspend the implementation of the new tariff.
“I believe that when we have a public hearing, these issues will be addressed.
“Until then, the new regime stands suspended.”
Meanwhile, the Senate again suspended plenary for one week to give room for conclusion of the budget consideration and interactions between committees and Ministries, Department and Agencies.
The chamber will resume on Tuesday to begin consideration of reports of the relevant committees on the budget.
NAN.
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