Senate addresses Power Sector Crisis, criminalizing vandalism

Austin Okoro DDM NEWS

Sen Enyinnaya Abaribe

The Nigerian Senate has taken a significant step towards addressing the country’s power sector crisis by initiating a bill to amend the Electricity Act of 2023.

The proposed amendment, sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power, aims to criminalize critical electricity infrastructure vandalism, which has become a recurring issue in the country.

The bill proposes to make electricity infrastructure vandalism a criminal offense, with vandals facing severe penalties, including the possibility of capital punishment.

The amendment seeks to clarify the transfer of regulatory authority from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to state governments, ensuring a more coordinated approach to electricity regulation.

The bill aims to enhance the implementation of the Electricity Consumer Assistance Fund, which provides support to low-income consumers and promotes social services.

The proposed amendment also seeks to strengthen penalties for offenders and improve institutional oversight to prevent future instances of vandalism.

The Senate’s decision to amend the Electricity Act is driven by the need to address the growing threat of vandalism and sabotage in the power sector.

Senator Adamu Aliero emphasized that despite the privatization of the sector, the government continues to bear heavy financial responsibilities, and vandals should face harsh punishment for sabotaging national asset

If passed, the bill is expected to have a significant impact on the power sector.

The bill is expected to reduce the incidence of vandalism and sabotage in the power sector, leading to improved electricity supply and reduced costs for consumers.

The amendment will also promote cooperation between federal and state governments in regulating the power sector, ensuring a more effective and efficient approach to electricity governance.

By strengthening penalties and oversight mechanisms, the bill aims to prevent future instances of vandalism and ensure that offenders are held accountable.

The bill has been referred to the Senate Committee on Power, which is expected to submit its report within six weeks.

After the committee’s review, the bill will be put to a vote by the Senate, and if passed, it will be sent to the House of Representatives for concurrence.

For Diaspora Digital Media Updates click on Whatsapp, or Telegram. For eyewitness accounts/ reports/ articles, write to: citizenreports@diasporadigitalmedia.com. Follow us on X (Fomerly Twitter) or Facebook