Arbitrary Electricity Tariff: NASS Approves N500, 000 Fines for Offenders

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Thursday, October 6th, 2016

By Ayodele Afolabi

ABUJA, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Electricity providers in Nigeria are to pay N500, 000 fine for any arbitrary increment in their billings as the National Assembly in its amendment of the Utility Charges Commission Act has made provision for such, as against former N10, 000 fine.

The development followed the concurrence of the Senate with the House of Representatives on a bill to amend the Utility Charges Commission Act, 2004.

Leading the debate on the bill, the Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na’Allah (APC Kebbi South), explained that the amendment was in line with current realities, saying the commission, as the regulatory agency of the services being provided, must be informed before any hike in tariff by the service providers.

Provisions amended in the previous law include Sections 7 (2), 11 (5), 13 (2) upon which the 4,900 per cent increment of fine was made.

Aside the bill on amendment of Utilities Charges Commission Act, the Senate also concurred to 11 other bills passed by the House of Representatives which include, Defence Space Agency Bill, Agricultural Credit Scheme Act (Amendment) Bill, University of Abuja (Amendment) Bill, Chattered Institute of Stock Brokers Act (Amendment) Bill.

Others are, Treaty to Establish African Economic Community Relating to Pan African Parliament Bill, Utilities Charges Commission Act (Amendment) Bill, National Judicial Institute Act (Amendment) Bill, Endangered Species Act (Amendment) Bill, Quantity Surveyors Act (Amendment) Bill, Advertising Practitioners Act (Amendment) Bill, Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act (Amendment) Bill and Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Agency (Amendment) Bill.