Press Release: NERC Abolishes Bulk Billing , Saraki Reacts

Date: 2015-08-22

Following a recent query issued to NERC by the Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki-led Senate, on Monday, August 17th, 2015, the National Electricity Regulatory Committee, agreed to finally end the practice of bulk billing.

In a resolution presented on the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, August 11, 2015, entitled: "Unfair trade practices of Electricity Distribution Companies in Nigeria," which was sponsored by Senator Sam Egwu, from Ebonyi, and Senator David Umaru of Niger East Senatorial District, the Senate instructed NERC to "immediately abolish fixed charges on electricity consumption, bulk marketing of villages and communities."

Additionally, the resolution required NERC to explain the "basis for Discos estimated electricity billing as well as payments made by consumers for meter installation in their homes."

Initially, in a press conference held a week after the Senate query, NERC, under the leadership of its Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, attempted to defy the directive of the Upper Legislative body. However, in a swift turnaround, the commission released a statement on Monday, 17th August, 2015, stating that customers who do not receive power will henceforth be exempted from paying fixed charges. Additionally, the commission agreed with the Senate's position on the need to eliminate the practice of bulk billing, and replace this practice with individual metering and billing.

Although it appears the Senate and NERC have reached an understanding on the issue of bulk billing, responding to the segment of the query on fixed charges and estimated billing, Dr. Amadi said that there is "no going back on the charges on electricity consumption fixed by the Commission as that was a global practice" – a compromise that many believe is a show of democracy at work.

Reacting to the development, the Senate President on Friday, August 21st, expressed his delight, stating that he was glad that NERC finally agreed with the position of the Senate.

In a series of Tweets on his personal page, Dr. Saraki further commended NERC for responding to Nigerian's calls in such a prompt manner, and reassured Nigerians that the "Motion on #power should be a signal to other regulatory bodies that the 8th Senate will not allow anti-people policies to go unchecked."

The Senate President went on to urge Nigerians to engage with their representatives in the legislature as the 8th Senate will make channels of communication available to Senators- asking Nigerians to contact their Senators for oversight of any agencies and/or organizations.

Many Nigerians took to social media to commend the Senate, with some like @ObongTunji tweeting to the Senate President's @BukolaSaraki handles saying: "Keep doing the good work sir."

 

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Gobir Organization Foundation     Monthly Sanitation Exercise     Amina Susa\'a De Ahmed     Dauda Adesola     NSCIA     Oko     Ahmad Ali     Monsurat Omotosho     Lawal Jimoh     UNILORIN Alumni Association     Kassim Babamale     Yahaya Dumoye     National Association Of Nigerian Students     Victor Gbenga Yusuf     TVC Female National Debate     LAK Jimoh     Baba Issa Awoye     RTEAN     Sidikat Akaje     Ilorin Airport     EndSARS     Kwara State Printing And Publishing Corporation     Col. Ibrahim Taiwo     Yaman     Bureau Of Lands     Idris Amosa Oladipo Saidu     Muideen Olaniyi Alalade     Abdullahi Dasilva Yussuf     Apaokagi     Code Of Conduct     Isiaka Rafiu Mope     Maimunat Oloriegbe     Ahmed Shuaib Buranga     Abdulwahab Oba     Chemiroy Nigeria Limited     Tunji Moronfoye     Saka Saadu     Abdulmutalib Shittu     Aisha Gobir     Obasanjo     MATTA Girls Foundation     Isau     Bello Taoheed Abubakar     Lanre Issa-Onilu     SWAN     Saliu Ajia     IQRA College     Arinola Fatimoh Lawal     Ghali Alaaya     Centre For Peace And Strategic Studies     Ilorin Like-Minds     TIIDELab     Face Masks     Moses Salami     Saka Isau     Vasolar-Kwara Company Ltd     Justina Oha     Ajayi Okasanmi     MMWG     Facebook     Special Agro-Industrial Hub     Baruten     Haruna Olawale Sulaiman     Quranic Recitation Competition     Saka Adeyemo     SUBEB     Matthew Babaoye     Modibbo Kawu     Atiku     Convocation Ceremonies     Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa     General Hospital     Olusola Saraki     Erin-ile     Mohammed Lawal     Bolakale Kawu     Bankole Omisore    

Cloud Tag: What's trending

Click on a word/phrase to read more about it.

Tunji Oyawoye     Obayomi Azeez     Salihu Yahaya     Oluwarotimi Boluwatife Adenike     Chemiroy Nigeria Limited     Gamji Members Association     Oke-Kura     Jimoh Lambe Abdulkareem     James Kolo     Atiku Abubakar     Yunus Oniboki     Mopelola Abdulmaliq-Bashir     Orire     Oba Of Jebba     Mutawalle     Ganmo Power Sub-Station     Standard Organization Of Nigeria     Bankole Omishore     Ajike People Support Centre     Guber Aspirant     Tayo Awodiji     Olokoba     Tosho Yaqub     Oasis Muslim Care Foundation     Bola Shagaya     Abubakar Olusola Saraki     Olomu Of Omu-Aran     Kwara State Television (KWTV)     Esinniobiwa Quareeb     Shehu Salau     Muhammed Akanbi     Okeose Christian Cementary     Abdulrazaq Sanni     Durosinlohun Atiku     Shuaibu Yaman Abdullahi     KWIRS     Fatimat Saliu     Salihu Alhaji Musa     Sa\'adu Salau     Communication Network Support Services     Yomi Ogunsola     Aremu Odolaye     Awili Pedro     Amusement Park     Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission     Akeem Olatunji     Segun Abifarin     Ubandoma Of Ilorin     Owu Fall     Bola Magaji     Bayo Ajia     Abubakar Baba Sulaiman     Yahaya Abdulkareem Babaita     Yusuf Lanre Badmus     Ali Ahmad     Shoprite     Sarah Alade     Oniyangi     Minimum Wage     Sanitation Exercise     Saka Balikis Kehinde     Onilorin Of Ilorin     Apaokagi     Al-Hikmah University     Issa Memunat Moyosore     Patience Jonathan     Ilorin Emirate     Jelili Yusuf     Sunday Otokiti     Funke Adedoyin     Suleiman Mora Omar     Ilorin Anchor Men And Women     Barakat Community Secondary School     Folashade Omoniyi     Mohammed Katsina Ahmed     ER-KANG     Kwara Liberation Group