S’South Govs Meet in Yenagoa, Lament Poor State of Power in Region, Urge FG to Review Situation

•House orders NERC to halt tariff increase 

•NBA gives FG seven days ultimatum

Funke Olaode in Lagos, Juliet Akoje in Abuja and Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

Governors of the South-south states under the auspices of the BRACED states – Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa-Ibom, Cross River, Edo and  Delta commission – yesterday met in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, where they lamented the current state of power in the country and urged the federal government to review the situation.

The meeting, which was hosted by Governor Douye Diri, had in attendance the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki; the deputy governor of Delta State, Monday Onyeme; and his Akwa Ibom counterpart, Senator Akon Eyakenyi.

The Rivers State governor, Sim Fubara, however, sent two representatives to the meeting.

At the same time, the House of Representatives has ordered the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to suspend the implementation of the new electricity tariff nationwide.

Also, yesterday, the Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has concluded a plan to institute a lawsuit against the federal government over the hike in electricity tariff, and gave it seven days ultimatum to reverse it.

However, in a communique read by Governor Obaseki, chairman of the BRACED commission, the South-south states lamented the persistent poor state of electricity in the region.

The commission noted that member-states had made huge investments in the power sector by successive governments of the region and called on the power companies operating in the region to work more closely with the state governments to ensure the operationalisation of the new Electricity Act of 2023. 

It also called on the federal government to embark on a comprehensive review of the power sector, particularly with reference to transmission.

While commending  President Bola Tinubu for approving the construction of the coastal road from Lagos to Calabar, the commission  called on the federal government to expedite work on the East-West road.

It also stressed the need for member-states to develop better regional interconnectivity through road, rail, water and air systems.

It equally condemned the March 14 killing of 17 military officers at Okuama community in Delta State and expressed condolences to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the military hierarchy and especially to the families of the slain officers.

Consequently, it called on  the federal government to set up a high-powered commission of inquiry to unearth what transpired in order to avoid such occurrences in future.

The commission commended the federal government for establishing the National Agriculture Fund and looked forward to working with the agency to improve the economic development of the region, particularly in the area of agro-entrepreneurship and food sufficiency.

The commission welcomed the ongoing efforts of member-states to promote financial literacy and skills acquisition among women and youths, in order to promote the growth of small and medium enterprises in the region and directed that the trainings and ongoing efforts be sustained throughout the region.

It commended the Bayelsa State government on its cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drug and Crime (UNDOC) to build a peace architecture to curb crimes and prevent violence in the state and discussed modalities for the expansion of the programme to include other states in the region.

House Asks NERC to Halt Tariff Increase

The House of Representatives has ordered the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to suspend the implementation of the new electricity tariff nationwide.

It also resolved to set up a special committee made up of the Committees on Power, Commerce, Delegated Legislation and National Planning to organise a well-structured hearing on the price regulation of NESI with the participation of the Minister of Power, Chairman and Commissioners of NERC, the CEO of all electricity utilities in Nigeria, President of the National Industrial Court, Trade Union Congress and leaders of chambers of Nigerian.

They further resolved to appoint a well-regarded former regulator as technical consultant to the house “to develop templates for determination of the legality, reasonableness of the procedure adopted by NERC in approving the tariff increase and establishing the performance benchmarks for the Discos.

“And authorised the consultant to work with the special committee to draft a bill ‘to provide for administrative procedures that entrench proper consultation and legislative review of process for tariff setting in the electricity and other public services in Nigeria.”

These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion of urgent national importance moved by Hon. Kama Nkemkanma on the need to address key issues surrounding ‘the sudden hike in electricity prices in Nigeria’ at the resumed plenary on Tuesday.

]Nkemkanma while presenting the motion highlighted concerns over due process, fairness, and the impact on consumers, adding that the motion was aimed at restoring public trust, protect consumer rights, and ensure regulatory accountability in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.

“What’s more concerning are the reports indicating discrepancies in customer categorisation and widespread complaints regarding inadequate service despite increased charges.

“This situation has not just sparked national anxiety, but it also threatens regulatory certainty and investor confidence in the sector, demanding immediate attention.

“This motion argues for legislative intervention, underlining our constitutional and moral obligations to address the crisis and alleviate the burden on Nigerian citizens. It places a strong emphasis on the legislative oversight role over NERC and the electricity utilities.

“Key issues highlighted include the failure of due process in approving the tariff increase, concerns over discriminatory practices, and the disputed nature of government subsidies to electricity distribution companies.

“Overall, this motion underscores the importance of legislative action to address the challenges facing the electricity sector and ensure fair treatment of consumers while promoting transparency and accountability in regulatory decision-making.”

NBA Gives FG Seven Days Ultimatum

Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has concluded plans to institute a lawsuit against the federal government over hike of electricity bill, giving a seven days ultimatum if the tariff was not reversed.

The branch Chairman, Mr. Seyi Olawunmi, made this known yesterday while addressing the newsmen at the Ikeja Bar Center, beside Lagos High Court, Ikeja.

He noted that the NERC order made in respect of the electricity tariff hike was anti-people, adding that the tariff smacked of the policy of a government that has lost touch with the daily realities of its average citizen.

He noted that the position of NBA Ikeja branch is that, “if the government and concerned individuals fail to reverse the illegal hike of electricity tariffs within seven days, the branch will be left with no choice than to seek appropriate remedies in the court of law.”