✓ The Senate opposes proposed electricity tariff hikes and the removal of electricity subsidies due to current economic challenges.
✓ Plans to investigate the N2 trillion subsidy for electricity payments, debts owed in the sector, and the state of metering in Nigeria are underway.
✓ The rejection comes amidst concerns over rising inflation and poverty levels in the country.
✓ The Minister of Power disclosed Nigeria’s indebtedness to power generating and gas companies, highlighting the need for subsidy funds.
✓ Senator Abbas leads the debate, criticizing the potential tariff increases and arbitrary energy charges imposed on unmetered customers.
✓ The Senate underscores the adverse impact of high electricity charges on small and medium enterprises and calls for improved regulation and metering practices.
✓ Lawmakers like Senator Tambuwal and Senator Kalu emphasize the inappropriateness of tariff hikes during times of hardship, advocating for a focus on improving transmission and distribution instead.
VIA PUNCH
The Senate has kicked against plans by the Ministry of Power to approve the proposed hikes in electricity tariff by Distribution companies.
The Senate also rejected plans to remove electricity subsidy given the present hardships in the country.
The Senate then called on the government to step down the idea of an increase in electricity tariff.
The upper chamber also directed the committee on power to investigate the N2tn required for electricity subsidy payment, other debts owed in the sector, and the state of metering in the country.
