“Let the poor breathe,” Senate says, as it bans DISCOS and NERC from increasing electricity tariff, others

The Senate on Tuesday, July 25, urged the Federal Government to reject the planned electricity tariff increase by eleven successor electricity distribution companies (DISCOS).

The upper legislative chamber also called on the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to look into the rate review applications filed by the Discos, taking into consideration the interest of citizens, affordability and the need for improved service delivery.

It equally urged the Discos to discontinue estimated billing and make available to all electricity consumers prepaid meters at affordable prices.

The  Upper Chamber further asked NERC to explore alternative measures to address the financial challenges faced by the Discos, such as improving operational efficiency, reducing technical and commercial losses, and enhancing revenue collection mechanisms.

The Senate also stressed the need to allow ordinary Nigerians to breathe, insisting that anything that would bring untold hardship to the citizens would be rejected in all its ramifications.

The resolutions followed a motion by Senator Yunus Abiodun Akintunde (Oyo Central) and co-sponsored by Senators Ekpenyong Asuquo, APC, Cross River South and
Aminu Iya Abbas, PDP,  Adamawa Central.

The motion elicited contributions from the senators who highlighted the economic challenges faced by ordinary Nigerians and the potential adverse effects that a tariff hike could impose on their already burdened livelihoods.

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