The Nigerian Senate has rejected the federal government’s plan to increase electricity tariffs and has launched an investigation into the proposal to remove subsidies on electricity. The rejection follows concerns raised by lawmakers over the potential adverse effects on citizens amidst ongoing economic challenges.

During a plenary session, Senator Aminu Abbas sponsored a motion opposing the proposed tariff hike, prompting Senate President Godswill Akpabio to call for an investigation into the Minister of Power’s assertions regarding subsidy removal.

Minister Adebayo Adelabu’s suggestion to eliminate electricity subsidies due to the power sector’s substantial debts sparked widespread criticism among senators. Abbas voiced concerns that removing subsidies would exacerbate financial burdens on Nigerians already grappling with poverty and rising living costs.

Senator Aminu Tambuwal emphasized the insensitivity of such a move, stating, “The populace are facing untold hardships, and the situation in the country is anything but normal.” Similarly, Senator Orji Kalu urged the government to focus on improving electricity distribution rather than imposing tariff hikes.

In a separate development, the Senate Committee on Oil and Gas Host Communities has summoned the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) to address challenges in implementing the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) and address grievances among host communities. The committee stressed the importance of transparent and equitable resource management for national development.

Additionally, the Senate advanced bills to establish regional development commissions for the South West and North Central zones, aiming to accelerate regional growth initiatives. The proposed South East Development Commission (SEDC) also moved forward, signaling legislative efforts to promote balanced regional development.

Lastly, the Senate screened nominees for the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), focusing on strategies to stabilize the foreign exchange market and address food inflation. The nominees underscored the need for targeted interventions to enhance productivity and combat economic volatility.

Author: Deborah Oyinloye

With an interest in media, Deborah aims to impart the lives of people positively.

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