The House of Representatives has called on the Federal Government to safeguard lives by providing alternative power to teaching hospitals, medical centers, and universities in the country.
As a result of the inconsistent power supply across the nation. The resolution was made following the adoption of motion on urgent public importance brought forward by the representative of Ede North/Ede South/Egbedero Federal Constituency, Osun State, Mr. Bamidele Salam during Tuesday’s plenary.
The motion titled, “Matter of urgent public importance on the need for the Federal Government to devise means to support teaching hospitals, medical centers and universities with mini solar grids and other alternative power sources to prevent loss of lives and disruptions in their services,” highlighted the increase in electricity tariff for Band A customers by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission on April 3, 2024. The tariff was raised from N68 per kilowatt-hour to N225/kWh.
It’s worth noting that the House had previously called on the NERC to immediately suspend the implementation of the new electricity tariff nationwide. However, the commission only made a marginal reduction in the tariff from 225/kWh to 206.8/kWh. Mr. Bamidele Salam argued that teaching hospitals, medical centers, and universities, due to their constant need to power medical equipment and carry out critical procedures, necessitate dependable power supply.
He expressed concern over the affordability of the increment in electricity tariff by these tertiary health institutions and insisted on the provision of a cost-effective and sustainable alternative.
He cited examples saying “according to investigation, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, (pays N75m monthly, which translates to N2.5 million per day; the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (operated by Bayero University, Kano) pays N119m per month (approximately N4 million daily). “Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital pays N50m monthly (N1.66 million each day), Jos University Teaching Hospital pays N31m or N1.03m daily, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka Teaching Hospital parts with N50m monthly, or N1.66m daily.” Jos University Teaching Hospital, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka Teaching Hospital,
In the case of the University of Ibadan, it was mentioned that the institution had been indebted to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company to the tune of N495m and had its power disconnected before the new tariff regime. Mr. Salam further detailed how the Secretary to the Committee of Vice Chancellors of the Nigerian Universities, Prof Yakubu Ochefu, had warned about the potential collapse of federal universities if the challenges posed by the new electricity tariff are left unaddressed.
He also highlighted the indefinite shutdown of academic activities at the University of Benin due to protests by students over the lack of electricity supply. As a result, the House has urged the Federal Government to explore ways to support teaching hospitals, medical centers, and universities with mini solar grids, considering the substantial and unmanageable electricity bills resulting from the new tariff.
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