House Of Reps Calls For Suspension of Electricity Tariff Hike

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, (NERC) has been urged to suspend the planned electricity tariff hike.
The plea came from the Federal House of Representatives. The lawmakers decried the exploitation of Nigerians by electricity distribution companies.

Honourable Aniekan Umanah, Representing Abak/Etim Ekpo /Ika Federal Constituenc in the House of Representatives, moved the motion for the resolution on Thursday during plenary.

According to the lawmaker, the hike is planned for June 1, 2021.

Umanah lamented the lack of electricity despite the periodic increment in electricity tariffs.

According to him, “Despite those increases, Nigerians have not enjoyed significant improvement in power generation, instead they daily grapple with epileptic services from the DISCOs and unilateral exploitation in the name of estimated billing arising from non- metering of over 50% of consumers.”

He said Discos have increased electricity 5 times since 2015.

The lawmaker said the suspension of the planned tariff becomes imperative in the face of rising insecurity, unemployment, and the impact of COVID-19.

After the adoption of the motion, the House, thereafter, mandated the committees on Power, Poverty Alleviation and Labour, Employment and Productivity to ensure compliance.