…As Sen Olubiyi says he spends N1m on electricity, diesel monthly
ABUJA (SUNDIATA POST)- Federal lawmaker representing Kebbi Central Senatorial District, Senator Adamu Aliero has called on the federal government to rescind the hike in electricity tariff in the interest of the people.
Senator Aliero who lamented the the huge investment that has been made into the power sector without corresponding outcome in terms of improvement in power supply, said the more we spend, the less power we get. He noted that there is corruption in the power sector adding that we have to attack it head on.
Similarly, the Senator representing Osun Central, Olubiyi Fadeyi, has lamented that he spends the sum of one million naira each on both power and purchase of diesel monthly.
The senators stated these during the investigative hearing on the ‘need to halt the proposed increase in electricity tariff,” on Monday in Abuja.
Fadeyi stated that the moving of customers to Band A was not justified as customers were not getting enough electricity supply.
Recall that the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission had during the week approved an increase of 340% in electricity tariff for customers under the Band A classification.
According to the NERC’s Vice Chairman, Musliu Oseni, Band A, customers will begin to pay N225 kilowatt per hour from the current N66.
“Band A customers are those who enjoy 20 hours of electricity supply daily and customers under this classification represent 15 per cent of the 12 million electricity customers in Nigeria.
The NERC Vice Chairman however clarified that the review would not affect customers on the other bands.
He said, “Honourable minister, you’re a hardworking man and you’re putting in your best. But peple are not getting value for the Band A power distribution.”
Earlier, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, in trying to justify the increase in the price of electricity said Nigerians who were moved to Band A now spend less money on the purchase of diesel and petrol to fuel their generator.
Fadeyi, in response to this, said, “I spend N1m on electricity and another N1m on diesel This is excluding how much I spend on my businesses.
“If the electricity was good, I wouldn’t spend that much on fueling my generator.”
Fadeyi added that the NERC should put more effort into performing its regulatory role to allow for effectiveness.
