Reps Urge FG to Halt Planned Electricity Tariff Hike

Damilola Oyedele in Abuja

The House of Representatives on Wednesday urged the Federal Government to order a halt to any planned increase in electricity tariff, as such move is not in the public interest.

It said this following reports that electricity Distribution Companies have written to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory (NERC) to request for 100 percent hike in tariff.

The House also mandated its Committee on Power to investigate the rationale behind the last increase, and ascertain if the increase is commensurate with the investments by the DisCos in the power sector.

The resolutions were prompted by a matter of urgent public importance on the matter by Hon. Aliyu Madaki (Kano, APC).

Madaki recalled that the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has already registered its opposition to the proposal.
He lamented that there has been no corresponding result in electricity supply, despite the 45 percent hike in February 2016.

“Concerned that if the proposed hike is not put on halt, it’s multiplying effect on the economy and the social well being of Nigeria cannot be quantified,” Madaki said.

The Majority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos APC) described the operations of the DisCos as a scam, and called for a review of the sale of power assets.

“It is a scam as Nigerians pay heavily without obligation on the part of the DisCos…they do not have the financial capacity or the technical know how. When you talk about investors, you consider institutional investors, not portfolio businessmen,” Gbajabiamila said.

Further details later