News
Electricity Tariff Hike Coming At The Wrong Time – Ex-Lawmakers
Two former federal lawmakers, Senator Andrew Uchendu and Honourable Dachung Bagos, have faulted the Federal Government’s reduction of electricity subsidy. They argued that the timing was wrong.
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had on Wednesday, announced an increment in electricity tariff for Band A customers. It explained that these are people who enjoy a 20-hour supply of electricity daily.
But the ex-lawmakers who were guests on Channels Thursday’s edition of Television’s Politics Today said with the removal of subsidy on petroleum, the timing of the electricity tariff hike would further compound Nigerians’ hardship.
‘Biting Hard’ On Nigerians
“I have always held this view that any right decision taken at the wrong time will ultimately be wrong,” Senator Uchendu, who represented Rivers East in the National Assembly, said.
“Nigerians have had a fairly bad deal in recent times. It was important that fuel subsidy be removed, and it was removed. Some of us did argue that possibly adequate preparations were not made in anticipation of the obvious implications of subsidy removal.
“And so that very policy decision is biting hard on every Nigerian. To now come back six months down the line to talk about another subsidy removal whether Band A, Band B, or any Band will ordinarily irritate Nigerians.
“It is coming at the wrong time. We would have allowed the negative effect of the fuel subsidy removal to be properly controlled before introducing any other subsidy.”
‘The Planning is Wrong’
Bagos also shared similar sentiments with Senator Uchendu. The ex-lawmaker, who represented Jos South and East Federal Constituency, questioned the timing of the electricity tariff hike. He believes there is a lack of planning in the decision.
“I quite agree with the distinguished Senator. Not just that the time is wrong but even the planning is wrong. Why we supported the fuel subsidy removal is because the monies for fuel subsidy was only enriching a few,” Bagos said.
“And inasmuch as there is a removal, there was no proper planning to cushion the effects [of subsidy removal] on Nigerians. Now you are having the electricity subsidy removed. What are those plans that the Federal Government has put in place to cushion the effect on Nigerians?”
The former House of Representatives member also argued that subsidy is not entirely bad, saying that governments across the world subsidise things for their citizens.
“And one thing we need to understand is, there is no government in the world that does not pay subsidy on something to cushion effects on its citizenry.
“The US or UK we are copying, all of them have subsidies on certain sectors of the economy that will cushion effects on their own citizens,” he said.
Bandits have k!lled seven farmers, including a vigilante, and burnt 50 bags of maize inside a truck in Bangi, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
Sources on Saturday, November 23, told Daily Trust that the victims had gone to bring the harvested maize home from their farm when the bandits ambushed them, k!lled all the occupants in the truck and set the truck.
Bandits have killed seven of our farmers who had gone to farm to bring the maize they had harvested home. The attackers hid and waited until after the victims had loaded the 50 bags of maize into the truck and were about to take off to return home when they opened fire on them. After k!lling the victims, they also set the truck and the 50 bags of maize already loaded ablaze,” a source said.
He said it was difficult for farmers in Mariga to harvest their crops this year due to k!llings and kidnappings by bandits.
The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Auchi, most Rev. Dr. Gabriel Ghieakhomo Dunia announces the passing unto eternal glory of Rt. Rev. Monsignor Thomas Oleghe, at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral Auchi, during the solemnity of Christ the King
Rev. Monsignor is the oldest Catholic Priest in Nigeria.
Monsignor Oleghe death is very remarkable as the centenarian died during the feast of Christ the King.
The demise of the priest of the order of Melchizedek should be best described as (TRANSITION TO GLORY)
The National Examinations Council (NECO) has given accreditation to more foreign schools to write the Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) and the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE).
The Acting Director, Information and Public Relations, Mr. Azeez Sani, disclosed this in a statement.
The newly accredited schools are in Niger Republic and Equatorial Guinea.
“NECO Accreditation Team visited the Schools to assess their readiness to write the SSCE and BECE.
“The Accreditation Team inspected classrooms, laboratories, libraries, computer laboratories, workshops, examination halls and sport facilities to determine their adequacy and suitability for NECO Examinations.
“After a thorough evaluation and comprehensive assessment, the schools were granted full SSCE and full BECE accreditation status,” the statement said.
The statement added that the accreditation of additional foreign schools is a testament to NECO’s commitment to providing quality education and assessment beyond the shores of Nigeria.
“With its expanding global presence, NECO is poised to become a leading examination body in Africa, offering opportunities for students worldwide to benefits from its expertise, thus contributing to the advancement of education in Africa and beyond.”
In another development, the statement disclosed that candidates are participating in the on-going NECO SSCE External in Diffa, Niger Republic.
“The UNHCR School, Diffa, Niger Republic is the first NECO SSCE External Centre outside Nigeria.”
NECO examinations are now written by candidates in Benin Republic, Togo, Cote’ d’Ivoire, Niger Republic, Equatorial Guinea and Saudi Arabia.
Insecurity! Bandits k!ll 7 farmers, burn 50 bags of maize in Niger state
Party Crisis Escalates: PDP NEC Meeting Delayed for the Fourth Time
SAD! Roman Catholic Oldest Priest Monsignor Thomas Oleghe dies at 103
Just in: Terrorists ambush military truck, kill all soldiers on board
Nigerian Dancer, Korra Obidi Attacked with acid, stabbed on stage In UK
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