EKO HOT BLOG reports that the Senate has said it will meet with the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and other stakeholders over the recent hike in electricity tariff across the country on May 2.
The invitation letters were prepared on Monday and would be dispatched to respective stakeholders for a meeting with the Red Chamber next Wednesday after resumption, a top source in the National Assembly disclosed to the Punch.
Recall that the National Assembly had again postponed the resumption of plenary to April 30, to allow for the full renovation of both main chambers.
The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, recently approved a 300 per cent tariff increment for Band A consumers, allowing power distribution companies to raise electricity prices for city dwellers from N68 to N225 per kilowatt-hour with effect from April 1, 2024.
According to the NERC’s Vice Chairman, Musliu Oseni, Band A customers will begin to pay N225 kilowatt per hour from the current N66.
In response, the Senator, who pleaded anonymity in order not to not kick against the standing rules of the Senate, told our correspondent that the meeting with the power stakeholders would likely be held next Wednesday.
“The Senate is looking into the matter. All these issues happened while the Senate was on recess. So, it’s inappropriate to comment without the Senate first discussing it.
Senate To Meet Minister
“But we would meet with the Minister of Power and other stakeholders on the increase in electricity tariff after the Senate resumes from its recess.
“We need to hear from them. Their invitation letters were worked on and Monday and are currently in the process of being dispatched. We should meet with them next week most likely on Wednesday after we resume on Tuesday.
“Once we get comments from them, then we can know the next line of action to take.” The lawmaker explained.
In the wake of the tariff hike, the Senate through its spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, promised not to abandon Nigerians.
Adaramodu maintained that the Senate would not show indifference to any policy that would add to the economic burden of Nigerians.
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