Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and member representing Abia State’s Bende federal constituency, said on Monday that when plenary resumes later this month, the house will examine the validity of the recent spike in energy tariffs.
NERC approved an increase in the price of power for Band A users from ₦66 to ₦225 per kilowatt. The upshot is that electricity users in urban areas with 20 hours of power supply will be charged 300 percent more, despite a statewide decline in electricity supply.
Spontaneous outcries have continued to greet the decision since its announcement by the electrical authority, raising concerns that it may exacerbate the country’s economic suffering.
Speaking virtually on the special edition of “Ben Kalu’s Mandate,” a phone-in radio programme on FLO FM in Umuahia, Abia State, Kalu stated that the parliament, in response to Nigerians’ calls for its participation in the subject, will take a win-win approach to resolving the issues at hand.
According to the Deputy Speaker, “It’s a general problem. While I was on my holidays, one of the things I was bothered with was a letter sent to me by the majority leader of the House on the need for us to intervene in a matter involving the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital power supply.
“They were disconnected because of this hike and they don’t have the money to pay. We said it’s an essential service. Something should be done about it while we look at other details.
“I can assure you that when we resume, it’s one of the things we are going to look into.
“We will look at both sides of the coin to know a win-win approach to it because we cannot suffocate the investors, and also we cannot allow Nigerians to suffer unduly.
“So, it is one of the things we will look at by the time we resume and we will find a way to solve it.”
