House of Representatives has directed electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to stop charging public tertiary institutions Band A tariff.
Gatekeepers News reports that this followed a motion sponsored by a member of the house representing Jigawa state, Abubakar Fulata.
National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) increased the electricity tariff for Band A customers from N66 to N209 per kWh in April.
Fulata while moving the motion on Thursday noted that public institutions provide education at minimal charges and students have resisted fee hikes.
He added that the tariff increase has led to power cuts, “throwing institutions into total darkness, putting equipment at risk and jeopardizing students’ and staff’s security.”
The lawmaker emphasised that the situation which has caused student riots has led to institution closures and potential socio-economic consequences.
He said, “If immediate measures are not taken to restore power supply and make electricity affordable, institutions will be forced to increase fees, stirring violent resistance that may spell grave danger to the country.”
The lower house adopted the motion and ordered the Ministry of Power, NERC, and relevant agencies to stop billing or disconnecting electricity supply to public tertiary institutions using the current tariff and reverse the tariff to either Band C or Band D immediately,
It also ordered committees on university education, polytechnics, technical colleges, federal colleges of education, power, and legislative compliance to develop a “workable, affordable, and sustainable electricity tariff regime” and report back within weeks for further legislative action.
