An investigative hearing on the recent upsurge in electricity tariffs across 11 Nigerian states was initiated by the Senate on Monday.
Within the Senate’s chamber at the National Assembly, legislators affirmed their commitment to penalize any individual or organization found responsible for exacerbating the hardships experienced by Nigerian citizens.
In the previous week, the Senate’s Power Committee had summoned Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, along with the heads of associated agencies, for an inquiry into the revised electricity tariffs.
Senator Eyinnaya Ababribe, the committee chairman, confirmed that an investigative hearing, authorized by the Senate and scheduled for April 29, 2024, was already in motion. Significant governmental bodies are poised to address various inquiries.
He explained, “We have extended invitations to the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to provide insights on the electricity tariff increase. The presence of the Minister of Power is imperative.”
During Monday’s investigative hearing, the committee chairman underscored that the inquiry was prompted by two motions tabled during the plenary sessions on July 25, 2023, and February 21, 2024. These motions empowered the Power Committee to liaise with the Ministry of Power, NERC, and vested stakeholders.
Abaribe also emphasized that the committee was mandated to ascertain enduring solutions for the challenges impeding the Nigerian Electricity Sector, advocating for comprehensive sectoral overhauls.