By Fola James
The National Assembly has halted the planned increase of electricity tariff by distribution companies, Discos.
The lawmakers said this is not the right time to increase the tariff considering that it will add to the hardship been faced by many Nigerians.
Ola Awoniyi, the Spokesman for the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan quoted him that the Discos have agreed to move the date forward.
Lawan said “We are in agreement here that there is no question on the justification of the increase but the time is simply not right and appropriate measures need to be put in place
So, between now and the first quarter of next year, our task will be to work together with you to ensure that we put those blocks in place to support the eventual increase in tariffs.”
The companies had earlier slated the increase for July 1, even as Nigerians lamented that such will bring more untold hardship to consumers.
The discos have now agreed not to go ahead with the increase after consultation with the leadership of the National Assembly led by Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The increase will now commence in the first quarter of next year, the magazine has learnt.
The statement said further that, “The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and other principal Officers of the two Chambers met at the National Assembly with the Chief Executives of the government electricity regulatory body and DISCOs across the country.
Also in attendance were the Chairmen of the Committees on Power from the Senate and House of Representatives.
The National Assembly leaders were emphatic at the meeting that the timing of the planned hike was wrong even though there is the need to introduce a cost reflective tariffs for the power sector to attract the much-needed investment.”
The Assembly leaders who said the hike was ill timed, will also consult with President Muhamamdu Buhari to map out the way forward on the matter.
According to Lawan “In the course of the meeting, the DISCOs too admitted that they were not well prepared for the planned hike in tariffs even though they so much desired the increase.
The meeting agreed to defer the planned hike till first quarter of next year while the leadership of the National Assembly promised to meet with President Muhammadu Buhari on the issue.”
Meanwhile, many Nigerians are happy that they will no longer have to adjust their budget to accommodate the increase.
Some Nigerians who spoke with the magazine said the intervention of the National Assembly is a big relief for electricity consumers in the country, who are still under the pains of the COVID 19.
