By Ologeh Joseph Chibu
The Senate has launched an investigation into the recent surge in electricity tariffs across 11 states in Nigeria.
The Red Chamber says it would penalize any individual or organization found responsible for the hike
Earlier, Senate’s Power Committee had summoned , the Minister of Power,
Adebayo Adelabu
along with heads of agencies under the ministry, for a thorough inquiry into the new tariffs.
The committee Chairman, Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe announced the scheduled investigative hearing set for April 29, 2024. He emphasized that key government bodies would be called upon to provide insights into the tariff hike, including the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and the Minister of Power.
He stated, “We have summoned the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). We will allow them to speak about the electricity tariff hike. The minister of power is, of course, expected to appear too.”
Addressing the hearing on Monday, Senator Abaribe referenced two motions passed during previous Senate sessions, highlighting the Senate’s commitment to engaging with relevant stakeholders to address the challenges confronting the Nigerian Electricity Sector. These challenges encompassed the necessity for comprehensive sector reforms and an inquiry into substantial subsidy requirements and outstanding debts owed by the Ministry of Power to generating and gas companies.
Furthermore, he emphasized, “We are also to investigate the over N2tn subsidy requirement as stated by the Minister of Power to avoid the repeat of fuel subsidy scenario and the statement made by the Honourable Minister with regard to the N1.3tn the Ministry is owing generating companies and 1.3 billion dollars owed to gas companies, (which I believe has increased as at today),
“Investigate the role of the Ministry of Power, NERC, and ZIGLAKS COMPANY on their failed agreement to provide meters and ensure Nigerians are not shortchanged”
Furthermore, the committee aimed to scrutinize the Ministry of Power, NERC, and ZIGLAKS COMPANY’s involvement in the failed meter provision agreement, ensuring transparency to prevent any exploitation of Nigerian consumers.
During the hearing, the committee sought clarification on the transition from previous customer classifications to the current BANDS system, seeking to understand when NERC shifted from the former Residential, Commercial, and Demand classes to the present Bands (A, B, C) for electricity consumers.
Senator Abaribe reaffirmed the committee’s dedication to swiftly and rigorously carrying out its mandate to alleviate the plight of Nigerians. He emphasized the Senate’s readiness to mete out sanctions to any individual or entity found culpable in perpetuating the challenges faced by Nigerian electricity consumers.
He further added, “Let me right from the onset and restate the determination a commitment of the Committee and indeed that of the 10th Senate to as a matter of urgency, stringently carry out this assignment to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians and that we will not hesitate to sanction anybody or any agency found culpable.”
