The House of Representatives has urged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to place public tertiary institutions on the Band ‘C’ or lower Service-Based Tariff (SBT) to alleviate the financial burden caused by rising electricity costs.
The call followed a motion by Rep. Abubakar Hassan Fulata during Thursday’s plenary.
Rep. Fulata expressed concern that inadequate funding from the federal government has already hampered the optimal functioning of the institutions.
He said the recent hike in electricity tariffs, along with power cuts for institutions unable to meet the payments have plunged many into darkness, jeopardising important equipment and the safety of students and staff.
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He cautioned that if electricity costs are not reduced, institutions may be forced to raise fees, triggering violent resistance from students with potentially grave consequences for the country.
The House, after debate on the motion, urged the federal government to direct NERC, DisCos, and other agencies involved in managing electricity to halt further billing or disconnection of power to public tertiary institutions under the current tariff.
They also called for a reversal of the Service-Based Tariff applied to these institutions, moving them to either Band ‘C’ or Band ‘D.’
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