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.”

Tnk God

alex81:
Tnk God

guy! Nt yet o. Dis is jst happenin on paper, wait till u see ur nx nepa bill.

Lol k.

bigiyaro:
guy! Nt yet o. Dis is jst happenin on paper, wait till u see ur nx nepa bill.

petecoolboy:
...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 treacherous Saraki and his friends should stop deluding themselves - we already know each of them take home nothing less than 16 million naira/month from our taxes and public purse when the nation is going through economic decline.

We also know they MUST expend the N120 or N150 Billion naira they have set aside for themselves before the next fiscal year. We know you do not care about us Mr. Saraki and friends.

Moreover, the original motion for this action has been moved by 7th Assembly and we all know NERC could not have taken any decision without the approval of President Mohamod Buhari.

Nigerian people do not need leeches; we are already feeling positive impacts in our system without NASS input in three months.

petecoolboy:
... #power should be a signal to other regulatory bodies that the 8th Senate will not allow anti-people policies to go unchecked.”

Ahhh public thieves, looters, and billionaires want to fight for the people but they cannot reduce their loots...

My 1N advice from Saraki - stop disturbing MDA heads who are currently being restructured/repositioned by Buhari else you will win yourself the final blows that will send you and your kiths to dudgeon.

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.”

Please reduce the 469-memebered-NASS annual budget from N150 Billion naira to N5 Billion naira then you will see us matching to NASS to celebrate all of you.

Nice One