NEWS
Senate Launches Probe Into Electricity Tariff Hikes Across 11 States
Amid mounting concerns over soaring electricity prices, the Senate has embarked on a comprehensive investigation into the recent surge in electricity tariffs affecting 11 states across Nigeria.
At a high-profile meeting held in the Senate wing of the National Assembly on Monday, lawmakers underscored their determination to hold to account any individuals or entities found responsible for exacerbating the hardships endured by Nigerians.
The probe comes on the heels of last week’s summons by the Senate’s Power Committee, compelling the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, and top officials from affiliated agencies to participate in an exhaustive inquiry into the controversial tariff hikes.
Senator Eyinnaya Abaribe, the chairman of the committee, announced that the Senate has greenlit an investigative hearing, slated for April 29, 2024.
He emphasized that key government agencies will be summoned to provide answers to pertinent questions regarding the matter.
He said, “We have summoned the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). We will allow them to speak about the electricity tariff hike. The minister of power is, of course, expected to appear too.”
Addressing attendees at the investigative hearing on Monday, the committee chairman highlighted the foundation of the inquiry, citing two motions tabled during plenary sessions on July 25, 2023, and February 21, 2024.
These motions, endorsed by the Senate through resolutions, tasked the Committee on Power with engaging key stakeholders such as the Federal Ministry of Power and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
Senator Abaribe underscored that the committee’s mandate extends beyond mere investigation to seeking enduring remedies for the myriad challenges confronting the Nigerian Electricity Sector, including the imperative for comprehensive sector reforms.
He added, “We are also to investigate the over N2tn subsidy requirement as stated by the Minister of Power to avoid the repeat of fuel subsidy scenario and the statement made by the Honourable Minister with regard to the N1.3tn the Ministry is owing generating companies and 1.3 billion dollars owed to gas companies, (which I believe has increased as at today),
“Investigate the role of the Ministry of Power, NERC, and ZIGLAKS COMPANY on their failed agreement to provide meters and ensure Nigerians are not shortchanged”
During the hearing, the committee also pressed electricity stakeholders to clarify the timeline of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s transition from the previous customer classification system to the current BANDS classification for electricity consumers.
Senator Abaribe reaffirmed the committee’s unwavering dedication and the commitment of the 10th Senate to expeditiously execute this task to alleviate the plight of Nigerians.
He emphasized the Senate’s readiness to mete out sanctions to anyone or any entity found responsible for wrongdoing in this regard.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed retired Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas as the military administrator of Rivers State following the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly.
The announcement came during a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday amid heightened political tension in the oil-rich South-South state.
Tinubu said the suspension would last for an initial period of six months.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Tinubu Suspends Fubara, Deputy and Lawmakers
“By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months,” the President stated.
Ibas, a former Chief of Naval Staff who served from July 2015 to January 2021, will take charge of the state’s affairs.
Tinubu clarified that the judiciary remains unaffected and will continue to function as mandated by the constitution.
“The Administrator will not make any new laws. He will, however, be free to formulate regulations as may be found necessary to do his job, but such regulations will need to be considered and approved by the Federal Executive Council and promulgated by the President for the state,” Tinubu added.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has suspended Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the state House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
Tinubu made the announcement in a nationwide broadcast on Tuesday, citing undisclosed reasons for the decision.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Rivers Assembly Accuses Fubara, Deputy Of Gross Misconduct
“By this declaration, the Governor of Rivers State, Mr. Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the House of Assembly of Rivers State are hereby suspended for an initial period of six months,” the President stated.
The suspension comes amid ongoing political tensions in Rivers State.
More updates to follow…
In what political watchers perceive as part of efforts to discomfit and scatter the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the feeling that its National Working Committee (NWC) antagonises him, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has revoked the rights to occupy the land on which the party’s national secretariat, Abuja is sited.
Biztelers reports that Wike’s revocation notice was conveyed in a letter released in Abuja on Tuesday, dated March 13, 2025.
The letter was titled, “Notice of right of occupancy with file no: MISC 81346 in respect of plot no: 243 within central area district, Abuja.”
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The letter was signed by the Director, Land Administration (FTC), Chijioke Nwankwoeze.
Wike, it was gathered predicated his action on the PDP’s failure to pay the annual ground rents due on the property for twenty (20) years, from January 1, 2006, to January 1, 2025.
The negligence on the part of the opposition party, the letter claimed was despite many publications in several national dailies and electronic media to pay up every outstanding bill and ground rent on its property.
The letter read, “I have been directed to refer to the above Right of Occupancy granted to PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP), NATIONAL SECRETARIAT and inform you that the Minister of Federal Capital Territory has in the exercise of powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act No. 6 of 1978, Cap. L5, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, revoked your rights, interests and privileges over Plot No. 243 within Central Area, Cadastral Zone A00, Abuja.
“The revocation is in view of your continued contravention of the terms and conditions of grant of the Right of Occupancy by failing to pay the annual ground rents due on the property for twenty (20) years, from Ist of January 2006 to 1st of January 2025. This is despite the many publications made by the FCT Administration since 2023 in several national dailies and on electronic media requesting all allottees of plots in the Federal Capital Territory to pay up every outstanding bill and ground rent on their property.
“You would please note that the said breaches by PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP), NATIONAL SECRETARIAT (MISC 81346) run contrary to the provisions of Section 28, Subsection 5 (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.”
There are palpable fears that the PDP’s national secretariat might be demolished or vandalised, sooner than later because Wike added that the FCTA administration would take immediate possession of the party secretariat until all bills are settled.
Tinubu Appoints Vice Admiral Ibas As Rivers Administrator
JUST IN: Tinubu Suspends Fubara, Deputy and Lawmakers
JUST IN: Wike Renders PDP Homeless In Abuja
Explosion Hits Trans-Niger Oil Pipeline In Rivers
Osun Issues Guidelines For Tractor Operations
