A scene of disruption unfolded on Monday as the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, addressed the National Assembly, only to be interrupted by a sudden power outage. The incident occurred during an investigative hearing convened by the Senate Committee on Power to address concerns regarding the recent electricity tariff hike.
As Adelabu fielded questions from senators, the power supply was abruptly cut off, casting a spotlight on the very issue under discussion. Within minutes, power was restored, but the disruption served as a vivid illustration of the challenges faced by Nigerians due to inconsistent electricity supply.
Commenting on the incident, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, Eyinnaya Abaribe, highlighted the implications of the minister’s statements regarding the country’s purportedly stable electricity situation. He emphasized that such interruptions were not uncommon, even among high-ranking officials, underscoring the widespread impact of the electricity crisis.
The recent tariff increase, approved by the Federal Government through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has sparked controversy and drawn scrutiny from various quarters. Under the new tariff structure, customers classified under Band A face a staggering 340% increase in electricity rates, with charges set to rise to N225 per kilowatt hour from the current N66. These customers, predominantly enjoying 20 hours of daily electricity supply, represent a significant but relatively small portion of Nigeria’s overall electricity consumer base.
NERC’s Vice Chairman, Musliu Oseni, clarified that the tariff review would not affect customers in other classification bands. Nevertheless, the Senate’s summons of the Minister reflects the mounting pressure on the government to address public concerns and justify the tariff hike in the face of widespread discontent and skepticism.