Electricity tariff increment will worsen hardship, Senator warns FG

The Senator representing Rivers West Senatorial District, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, has urged the Federal Government to halt proposed increase in electricity tariff.

She warned that the move would worsen the hardship, which citizens are currently experiencing as a result of the fuel subsidy removal.

Banigo said this on the heels of a motion brought to the floor of the Senate by Akintunde Abiodun and two others that in the last 10 years, billions of naira has been spent by senators in the procurement and installation of transformers in their constituencies. He pointed out that such equipment have become registered properties of electricity distribution companies (Discos) without electricity supply, leaving consumers in perpetual blackout, unjustifiable billings, as well as lack of prepaid meters.

In seconding the motion, Banigo stressed that with the removal of fuel subsidy, Nigerians are already suffering; hence, increasing electricity tariff will further compound their hardship.

He noted that Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) would be greatly affected if the planned move is anything to go by.

She, therefore, urged the Senate to call on the Federal Government, as a matter of urgency, to halt the proposed increment in the interest of poor masses.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, thanked the senators for their contributions to the matter, resolving that all electricity tariff increment should be suspended.

In another development, Banigo prayed the Senate to urge the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, as well as state
ministries of health and other relevant agencies to curb the spread of Diphtheria disease across the country.

He noted that Diphtheria disease, which affects both children and adult, is totally preventable through childhood immunisation.

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