Senate orders reversal of hike in electricity increase

The Senate has ordered the reversal of the 40 per cent hike in electricity tariff by Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOS) and Generation Companies (GENCOs). 

It also directed its committees on Labour, Employment and Productivity and Power to liaise with electricity companies to comply with the directive.

During proceedings at the red chamber, Sen. Suleiman Nazif of Bauchi North raised a motion against the tariff hike, saying that power supply stability was yet to be achieved. 

The motion was backed by the deputy senate president, Ike Ekweremadu who dismissed the hike and stated that anyone who wanted to increase the tariff at this time was "ultra-wicked". He therefore called on the government to suspend the hike and revert to the original tariff. 

He said Nigerians should not pay for the fact that the DISCOs and the GENCOs that bought these electricity companies, did not have enough capital to provide for metres.

Sen Dino Melaye (Kogi-APC) was also in support of the motion adding that the government-backed tariff hike must be lowered for the interest of the poor who cannot afford.

He said: “This is one other time in the history of the 8th Senate that people must realise that we are here for the Talakawas(the poor), Mekunus and the downtrodden, and therefore we must carry out policiesthat will favour them”.

The Senate adopted the arguments and passed the motion to the Committees on Labour and Power to act.