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Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase - Politics - Nairaland

Nairaland Forum / Nairaland / General / Politics / Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase (15681 Views)

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Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by MRSAWEDOFF: 10:43pm On Jun 30, 2020

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7bD6Humuyo

The leaders of the National Assembly have explained their positions against the plan to increase electricity tariffs in the country by July.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan and House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila expressed their rejection of the plan on Monday at a meeting with electricity distribution companies, DISCOs and the regulator, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

On Tuesday the two leaders met with Vice President Osinbajo on the same subject. They spoke to journalists after the meeting. Read their remarks
below.

Ahmad Lawan
We have come to visit our Vice President, one of our leaders in connection with the impending electricity tariff in the country.

The joint leadership of the National Assembly sat yesterday with DISCOS and Nigeria Regulatory Agency. We believe that this is not the right time to increase the tariff in the electricity sector. Nigerians have a lot of challenges today because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the situation requires that we do everything possible to make life easy for our citizens.

Of course, government is doing a lot in this respect but we believe that DISCOS should meet with consumers, find better cost effective tariff. But before then, there must be some steps to ensure that the consumers are properly metered otherwise, you will still go back to guessing what consumers are consuming. That is to say that let the billing be scientifically based, it has to be based on what you actually consumed.

So we had this discussion with Mr. Vice President and we are sure that that announcement in the increase of electricity tariff in Nigeria is untimely. We believe that we need to do more work to ensure that before any increase, there must be some measures, steps, line of actions that must be exhausted including the metering. This is a welcome idea to the Vice President as well.

Can we get to a point where we can get steady power supply so that billing, metering and all of that won’t be too hard for Nigerians?

I believe that the share purchase agreement signed by the government and the DISCOS at the point of the privatization must be adhered to. These are businesses and they must do everything possible to provide services. It is when they provide efficient and effective services to consumers that they can make money. But as a government, we too must make sure that we discharge our obligations as provided for in share purchase agreement signed. Once we are able to achieve that, we will have a better situation in the power sector in Nigeria. It is doable, it has happened elsewhere. So, we cannot continue to give DISCOS and GENCOS the resources that we can ordinarily deploy to build hospitals. But whatever it’s necessary for us to do as part of our agreement with them we must do those.

Today is International Day of Parliamentarism, how well have you supported government and discharged your responsibility in this period of COVID-19 in terms of emergency laws, monitoring spending etc?

Well, we have been doing our best but it’s for the public to judge what we do. I wouldn’t say we should rate ourselves but I want to assure you that in the prevailing circumstances, the National Assembly has been doing its best. We try to attend to all those issues we believe are contemprenous, those resources that government need to address COVID-19 situation.

Recently, we passed the budget 2020 and of course that included the stimulus package to support the COVID-19 situation. So we have been doing our best and we are always available to undertake those parliamentary interventions that will be required as at when due.

Femi Gbajabiamila
On the hike of electricity tariff and the DISCOS complaints of operating under heavy financial burden:

Let me just say that we saw the President earlier this morning and we have seen the Vice President today. The whole idea is that when there is a major policy decision, it is always good that the legislature and the executive are on the same page so that we don’t sing different tunes.

I will like to say that I think we have all agreed on an increase in cost-reflective tariff but the issue is that the timing is also important. Sometimes, timing is more important than even the policy decision that you make. There is a saying that the road to hell is often paved with good intentions. So the intentions is good but what about the timing. We have all agreed to suspend this for a while, tarry a while and get the buy-in of the people, explain to the people why this has to be done, that it is for the betterment for the electricity to get stable. They are businessmen and cannot be undercutting themselves. I think so far so good, the President listener attentively, the Vice President listener attentively and I think everybody is on the same page and hopefully, we will get some reprieve between now and whenever but it’s not going to happen today.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/400358-why-we-are-against-plan-to-increase-electricity-tariff-lawan-gbajabiamila.html

3 Likes

Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by doggedfighter(f): 11:39pm On Jun 30, 2020
Both of you should sod off. !!
You guys don't care about Nigerians
Where have both of you stood for Nigerians when it mattered most o ye weak men !

All both of you are good at is taking the large and juicy chunk and also fighting dirty for crumbs reserved for the poor masses.

You just want to make it look as if you are working.

Will you ensure that PHCN adhere to your suggestions?
This month bigger bills will be shared.
Stop patronizing Nigerians you two faced liars

22 Likes 1 Share

Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by SmartProf(m): 11:42pm On Jun 30, 2020
Your intervention is commendable, but don't make it sound too special...it's not like you moved 90% of Nigerians out of unemployment. This is the least you can do, so its time to put off your microphones, cos we've all heard what you have done

24 Likes 1 Share

Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by Nobody: 12:12am On Jul 01, 2020
Do you have to explain to anybody?
We all know its insane for tariff to go up at this time
Or are you feeling like you just did the winders of the world by denying Buhari for the first time ?

3 Likes 1 Share

Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by IduNaOba: 3:00am On Jul 01, 2020
Nonsense ụna for Support am make thunder faya ụna.
tongue

11 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by Actuator: 5:11am On Jul 01, 2020
shocked
Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by TheRareGem1(f): 5:15am On Jul 01, 2020
MRSAWEDOFF:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7bD6Humuyo

The leaders of the National Assembly have explained their positions against the plan to increase electricity tariffs in the country by July.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan and House Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila expressed their rejection of the plan on Monday at a meeting with electricity distribution companies, DISCOs and the regulator, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.

On Tuesday the two leaders met with Vice President Osinbajo on the same subject. They spoke to journalists after the meeting. Read their remarks
below.

Ahmad Lawan
We have come to visit our Vice President, one of our leaders in connection with the impending electricity tariff in the country.

The joint leadership of the National Assembly sat yesterday with DISCOS and Nigeria Regulatory Agency. We believe that this is not the right time to increase the tariff in the electricity sector. Nigerians have a lot of challenges today because of the COVID-19 pandemic and the situation requires that we do everything possible to make life easy for our citizens.

Of course, government is doing a lot in this respect but we believe that DISCOS should meet with consumers, find better cost effective tariff. But before then, there must be some steps to ensure that the consumers are properly metered otherwise, you will still go back to guessing what consumers are consuming. That is to say that let the billing be scientifically based, it has to be based on what you actually consumed.

So we had this discussion with Mr. Vice President and we are sure that that announcement in the increase of electricity tariff in Nigeria is untimely. We believe that we need to do more work to ensure that before any increase, there must be some measures, steps, line of actions that must be exhausted including the metering. This is a welcome idea to the Vice President as well.

Can we get to a point where we can get steady power supply so that billing, metering and all of that won’t be too hard for Nigerians?

I believe that the share purchase agreement signed by the government and the DISCOS at the point of the privatization must be adhered to. These are businesses and they must do everything possible to provide services. It is when they provide efficient and effective services to consumers that they can make money. But as a government, we too must make sure that we discharge our obligations as provided for in share purchase agreement signed. Once we are able to achieve that, we will have a better situation in the power sector in Nigeria. It is doable, it has happened elsewhere. So, we cannot continue to give DISCOS and GENCOS the resources that we can ordinarily deploy to build hospitals. But whatever it’s necessary for us to do as part of our agreement with them we must do those.

Today is International Day of Parliamentarism, how well have you supported government and discharged your responsibility in this period of COVID-19 in terms of emergency laws, monitoring spending etc?

Well, we have been doing our best but it’s for the public to judge what we do. I wouldn’t say we should rate ourselves but I want to assure you that in the prevailing circumstances, the National Assembly has been doing its best. We try to attend to all those issues we believe are contemprenous, those resources that government need to address COVID-19 situation.

Recently, we passed the budget 2020 and of course that included the stimulus package to support the COVID-19 situation. So we have been doing our best and we are always available to undertake those parliamentary interventions that will be required as at when due.

Femi Gbajabiamila
On the hike of electricity tariff and the DISCOS complaints of operating under heavy financial burden:

Let me just say that we saw the President earlier this morning and we have seen the Vice President today. The whole idea is that when there is a major policy decision, it is always good that the legislature and the executive are on the same page so that we don’t sing different tunes.

I will like to say that I think we have all agreed on an increase in cost-reflective tariff but the issue is that the timing is also important. Sometimes, timing is more important than even the policy decision that you make. There is a saying that the road to hell is often paved with good intentions. So the intentions is good but what about the timing. We have all agreed to suspend this for a while, tarry a while and get the buy-in of the people, explain to the people why this has to be done, that it is for the betterment for the electricity to get stable. They are businessmen and cannot be undercutting themselves. I think so far so good, the President listener attentively, the Vice President listener attentively and I think everybody is on the same page and hopefully, we will get some reprieve between now and whenever but it’s not going to happen today.

SOURCE: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/400358-why-we-are-against-plan-to-increase-electricity-tariff-lawan-gbajabiamila.html


Just like what the VP Osinbajo said. Nigerians will pay if the service delivery is encouraging and worth while. We say no to electricity increase tarrifs kawai.

3 Likes 1 Share

Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by okefrancis: 5:22am On Jul 01, 2020
Thank God we have a good leader like senate president, speaker and the hardworking vp osinbajo who speak for the masses on the issues of unnecessary hike of electricity tarrif in the hard time by DISCO

7 Likes 1 Share

Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by Presegs(m): 5:26am On Jul 01, 2020
cool
Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by adioolayi(m): 5:28am On Jul 01, 2020
Una do well jare....Thunder wey go fire power holding companies if any form of tariff increase is rolled out now dey heaven with Sango and Amadioha dey do pressup

4 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by shiki(m): 5:29am On Jul 01, 2020
Where are your powers? The same way they give us free electricity during lockdown abi? ...Audio against_
Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by Ghostmode2two(m): 5:29am On Jul 01, 2020
Story for the gods. By the time the brine die you guys is increased, you will sing a different tone in support of the hike in tarrif. We know your plans
Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by MANNABBQGRILLS: 5:29am On Jul 01, 2020
Commendable.

REALLY COMMENDABLE.

This is the CHANGE we voted for.

Nigeria will be great again in our lifetime.

God bless Nigeria.

5 Likes 2 Shares

Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by otokx(m): 5:29am On Jul 01, 2020
Government should provide prepaid meters to all households in Nigeria.

11 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by Xisnin(m): 5:30am On Jul 01, 2020
In other words, you don't want progress for Nigerians.
It is not the government's business to subsidize electricity.
Subsidies are one of the greatest fraud perpetrated by the Nigerian government
under the guise of helping the poor with freebies.
No serious country subsidizes utility bills for citizens.

The prepaid meter should be supplied to all customers and the government
should stop interfering in electricity pricing.

6 Likes 4 Shares

Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by ArmaniUhuru: 5:30am On Jul 01, 2020
[s]
post=91253342:
Commendable.

REALLY COMMENDABLE
[/s]

3 Likes

Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by olaric(m): 5:34am On Jul 01, 2020
Wickedness and greed run freely in the veins of those who provide certain services like electricity people, police, politicians and local government workers.

We barely have stable supply of electricity, yet you want to increase your tariff; does that make any sense? Most business owners run on generators; yet you want to reap where you did not sow.

1 Like

Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by money121(m): 5:34am On Jul 01, 2020
Ok
Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by Queenslander(f): 5:34am On Jul 01, 2020
If only they could give us 24 hour electricity,.. Even if the bill is N20,000 a month.. Nigerians will pay...

2 Likes

Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by silento(m): 5:35am On Jul 01, 2020
real scam is nepa you paid for monthly service while they deliver just 8-10 days light

1 Like

Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by talk2oau: 5:37am On Jul 01, 2020
Its a good one for the poor masses. It shows some of the elites have the kin interest of Nigerians at heart
Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by seguno2: 5:38am On Jul 01, 2020
Xisnin:
In other words, you don't want progress for Nigerians.
It is not the government's business to subsidize electricity.
Subsidies are one of the greatest fraud perpetrated by the Nigerian government
under the guise of helping the poor with freebies.
No serious country subsidizes utility bills for citizens.


The prepaid meter should be supplied to all customers and the government
should stop interfering in electricity pricing.

Are you sure that you are a Nigerian? grin
Such intelligence is uncommon here.
Many people don’t ask why most Nigerians are praying and fasting for visas to be voluntary slaves in obodo oyinbo, where governments don’t generally subsidise utilities and consumption.

3 Likes

Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by seguno2: 5:41am On Jul 01, 2020
talk2oau:
Its a good one for the poor masses. It shows some of the elites have the kin interest of Nigerians at heart

See as you fall yakata for this fraud by the NASS leaders cheesy
If you are smart, won’t you ask them to bring their bogus total package in line with the total package of other workers in the same government?

2 Likes 1 Share

Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by Kalman(m): 5:44am On Jul 01, 2020
I don’t understand why people keep begging these DISCO’s to have sense. Let them increase the tarriff and observe. Usually the ones I pity are the guys sent to the streets to do the disconnections.
Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by Yampotatocarrot(m): 5:45am On Jul 01, 2020
Queenslander:
If only they could give us 24 hour electricity,.. Even if the bill is N20,000 a month.. Nigerians will pay...

You are correct. Some people already pay that same #20,000 for 10hours of light per day

While Lawan was quite vocal on the call for prepaid metering, Femi seemed to be towing on the path of caution, not wanting to offend anyone

It'll have been better if they came out of the meeting equivocally stating that until about 80% of Nigerians are provided with prepaid meter, no increase in tariff... And not trying to make political statements.

If most parts of Abuja have prepaid meter, I don't know why it's so difficult for other states to have also. More appalling is the situation with EEDC in Southeast, I haven't heard of any plans at all by that company to distribute the prepaid

2 Likes

Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by jaxxy(m): 5:47am On Jul 01, 2020
Timing is important and this is a wrong time when people are struggling to get over covid19. What is the main reason for the hike 1st? Is just because power is getting more constant for people to enjoy so u must increase ur price like the usual shylock mentality or their is a honest and REASONABLE increment and decision.

Every nigerian investor wants quick money like it's oil or drug money bt some sectors are long term investments.

2 Likes

Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by Kingrefreshed: 5:50am On Jul 01, 2020
MRSAWEDOFF:


https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/400358-why-we-are-against-plan-to-increase-electricity-tariff-lawan-gbajabiamila.html

I'll give both of you 24hrs to see if you wouldn't reverse your statement.

Then I'll believe you 50%
Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by betterman22(m): 5:50am On Jul 01, 2020
Please reject and throw away the bill

2 Likes

Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by dandogoh: 5:51am On Jul 01, 2020
Everybody is against it....
Re: Lawan, Gbajabiamila Explains Why They Are Against Electricity Tarriff Increase by chukwuibuipob: 5:51am On Jul 01, 2020
cool

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