The Nigerian Senate has declared its intention to announce its stance on the recent 300 percent increase in electricity tariffs for Band A customers upon the resumption of its plenary session following the Easter and Sallah break.
The Senate is scheduled to reconvene on Tuesday, April 16.
The increase, announced by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has seen tariffs for Band A consumers surge from N66 to N225/kwh, effective immediately. Band A customers, who enjoy 20 hours of electricity supply daily, make up approximately 15 percent of the country’s 12 million electricity consumers.
Senator Adeyemi Adaramodu, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs, assured reporters that the Senate is closely monitoring the situation and will take a stance favorable to Nigerians upon its return from recess. He emphasized that the Senate is committed to addressing the economic challenges facing Nigerians and will not turn a blind eye to policies that exacerbate these difficulties.
Earlier this year, the Senate rejected proposals by the Ministry of Power to approve the tariff hike proposed by Electricity Distribution Companies, as well as plans to eliminate electricity subsidies amid the prevailing hardships in the country. The Senate directed its Committee on Power to investigate the N2 trillion required for electricity subsidy payments, outstanding debts in the sector, and the status of metering nationwide. These directives followed the adoption of a motion moved by Senator Aminu Abbas during plenary, advocating for the retention of electricity subsidies in Nigeria for the foreseeable future.
