The Senate's spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, stated that the Senate will not leave Nigerians to deal with the recent increase in electricity prices on their own.
He also mentioned that the Senate will make a decision on the over 300% increase in electricity prices for customers in the Band A category after returning from its break.
The Nigerian Government, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, announced an increase in electricity prices for Band A customers who receive 20 hours of daily electricity supply. approved The NERC Vice Chairman, Musliu Oseni, stated that Band A customers will now pay N225 per kilowatt-hour, up from the current N66.
Further investigation revealed that customers in this category make up 15% of the 12 million electricity customers in Nigeria.
He clarified that the review will not impact customers in other categories.
Speaking to reporters in Abuja on Thursday, Adaramodu said that the Senate's relevant committees are monitoring the situation and will take a stance that benefits Nigerians when they resume.
He said, “The relevant Senate committees on power are examining the situation. You know we are on break now. When we return, they will present their findings to the Senate during the plenary. We won’t abandon Nigerians.”
Adaramodu emphasized that the Senate will not ignore any policy that would increase the economic burden on Nigerians.
The Senate had previously rejected the Ministry of Power's decision to approve proposed increases in electricity prices by distribution companies in February.
The Senate also opposed plans to remove electricity subsidies considering the current hardships in the country, and urged the electricity regulator to “Let the poor breathe.”
The Senate also tasked the Committee on Power to look into the N2tn required for electricity subsidy payment, other debts in the sector, and the state of metering in the country.
These directives were made after the Senate considered and approved a motion put forward by Senator Aminu Abbas (PDP, Adamawa Central) during plenary on the need to keep electricity subsidy in place in the country for the foreseeable future.
The spokesperson for the Senate, Yemi Adaramodu, has said that the Senate would not abandon Nigerians to their fate over the recent hike in electricity tariff. He also noted that the Red Chamber, upon resumption from its recess, would decide on the over 300% increase in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A classification. […]
The Senate resolutions were sequel to the consideration and approval of a motion moved by Senator Aminu Abbas (PDP, Adamawa Central) during plenary on the need to retain subsidy on electricity in the country for the foreseeable future.
