The House of Representatives will intervene in the recent
increase in electricity tariff by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory
Commission upon its resumption on April 23, 2024, Deputy Speaker, Benjamin
Kalu, has said.
Recall that the development
which has culminated in consumers in Band A paying as much as a 300 per cent
increment has been widely condemned by opposition parties, prominent citizens,
and civil society organisations.
It will be recalled that a
spontaneous outcry greeted the development upon its announcement by the
electricity authorities, stimulating fears that it would escalate the economic
hardship in the country.
Speaking virtually on the
special edition of “Ben Kalu’s Mandate”, a call-in radio programme of FLO FM,
Umuahia, Abia State, on Monday, the lawmaker noted that the parliament would
find a way to resolve the issue.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker,
Mr Levinus Nwabughiogu, quoted Kalu as saying that the parliament would
continue to conduct its affairs with the greatest interest of Nigerians in
mind.
“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.
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“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 and also the investors. 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,” Kalu says.
On the possibility of a new constitution for Nigerians, Kalu
said the onus is on the people to participate fully in the process, while the
National Assembly will help amplify their voices.
“Some schools of thought
expressed the view that they want a new constitution. They want us to drop the
old one and take up a new one. Some elders known as The Patriots are also
asking for a new constitution. But as you know, we are the people’s parliament.
“You are our bosses. Whatever
the people decide for us to do when we have our public hearings and all these
engagements, when we move around because we are going to go to every zone, most
local government areas or senatorial or geopolitical zones to engage, is what
we will look at.
“If the people have a general
consensus that this is what Nigerians want and the template of what they are
asking for; what is wrong with this one that you want to change? What would the
new one look like, and what do you have in mind? We will be able to factor that
in.
“I am happy that you are
conscious of the move for the amendment of the constitution. I like it when
people call to discuss that. It shows there is an awareness which is very key.
It’s only when you are aware that you can engage and make the right impact. So,
I appreciate you. This is the time to lend your voice to this,” he said.
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