Senate Calls for Suspension of FG’s Planned Subsidy Removal On Electricity

Senate Calls for Suspension of FG’s Planned Subsidy Removal On Electricity

Nigerian Senators on Wednesday unanimously kicked against plans to increase electricity tariff, describing the move as retrogressive and ill-timed.

The Upper Chamber also mandated its Committee on Power to investigate the over N2 trillion subsidy requirement as alleged by the minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu.

Galaxy tv reports that after a robust debate on a motion by Senator representing Adamawa Central, Iya Abbas,on Wednesday’s plenary, the lawmakers urged the federal government to immediately stand down the idea of an increase in electricity tariff in the country.
In his lead debate Senator Abbas explained that the indebtedness of the country’s power sector to electricity-generating companies and gas companies had risen to over N3 trillion.

Contributing to the motion, Senator Abba Moro representing Benue South, Nigeria must first be sufficient in generation and distribution of power before considering an increase in tariff.
On his part, Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Tambuwal said the removal of any subsidy on electricity is insensitive, describing the move as adding petrol to fire.
In a remark, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, aligned with his colleagues noting that any increase will further throw Nigerians into untold hardship especially now that they are grappling with hunger and high cost of living.

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu had last week disclosed at a press conference in Abuja that Nigeria was not likely to sustain the current electricity subsidy.