The Senate has initiated an investigative hearing into the recent hike in electricity tariffs in 11 states across Nigeria.
During a meeting at the Senate wing of the National Assembly on Monday, the Red Chamber expressed its intention to penalize individuals or agencies found responsible for increasing the challenges faced by Nigerians.
Last week, the Senate's committee on Power summoned the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and other heads of agencies under the ministry to participate in the investigative hearing regarding the new electricity tariffs.
Committee chairman Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe stated that the Senate had authorized an investigative hearing scheduled for April 29, 2024, during which major government agencies would be questioned.
Speaking at the investigative hearing on Monday, Senator Abaribe noted that the hearing was based on two motions presented at plenary on July 25, 2023, and February 21, 2024. These motions mandated the Committee on Power to engage with the Federal Ministry of Power, NERC, and other stakeholders.
He emphasized the need for lasting solutions to the challenges facing the Nigerian Electricity Sector, including the necessity for comprehensive sector reforms.
"We are also to investigate the over N2tn subsidy requirement as stated by the Minister of Power to avoid the repeat of fuel subsidy scenario and the statement made by the Honourable Minister with regard to the N1.3tn the Ministry is owing generating companies and 1.3 billion dollars owed to gas companies, (which I believe has increased as at today)," Senator Abaribe stated.
The committee also sought answers from electricity stakeholders regarding NERC's migration from the previous customer classes to the present BANDS for electricity customers.
"Let me right from the onset and restate the determination and commitment of the Committee and indeed that of the 10th Senate to as a matter of urgency, stringently carry out this assignment to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians and that we will not hesitate to sanction anybody or any agency found culpable," Senator Abaribe concluded.
