The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu has failed to address the question of the illegality of the tariffs, has failed Nigerians – Femi Falana

Human rights lawyer Femi Falana has denounced Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu for “failing to provide a consistent electricity supply despite escalating tariffs.”

The National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) recently raised the tariff for Band A customers from N68/KWh to N225/KWh. Additionally, NERC specified that Band A customers should expect 20-24 hours of electricity daily, Band B subscribers should receive 16-20 hours, and Band C recipients should have 12-16 hours daily.

However, Falana criticized this power policy as “illegitimate tariff increases,” asserting that the Federal Government and Adelabu cannot justify the tariff hike.

He said; “The Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu has failed to address the question of the illegality of the tariffs

“Section 116 of the Electricity Act 2023 provides that before an increase can be approved and announced, there has to be a public hearing conducted based on the request of the Discos to have an increase in the electricity tariffs. That was not done

“Secondly, neither the minister nor the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission has explained why the impunity that characterised the increase can be allowed.”

“I have already given a notice to the commission because these guys are running Nigeria based on impunity and we can not continue like this. When a country claims to operate under the rule of law, all actions of the government, and all actions of individuals must comply with the provisions of relevant laws.

“Secondly, the increase was anchored on the directives of the commission that customers in Band A will have an uninterrupted electricity supply for at least 20 hours a day. That directive has been violated daily. So, on what basis can you justify the increase in the electricity tariffs?”

“The Honourable Minister of Power is acting the script of the IMF and the World Bank.

“Those two agencies insisted and they continue to insist that the government of Nigeria must remove all subsidies. Fuel subsidy, electricity subsidy and what have you; all social services must be commercialised and priced beyond the reach of the majority of Nigerians.

“So, the government cannot afford to protect the interest of Nigerians where you are implementing the neoliberal policies of the Bretton Wood institutions,” he added.