The Nigerian Senate has frowned at the alleged astronomical monthly rise in electricity bills across the country.

This is sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator Dino Melaye, representative of Kogi West, drawing the attention of the Senate to the burden of over-billing by Distribution Companies (DISCOs)

Melaye, in the motion, noted that years after the privatisation of the power sector, DISCOS handling the retailing and marketing of electricity in Nigeria have not been able to effectively meter their customers. This, he said, has left millions of Nigerians at their mercy through estimated billing tariff with very little or no protection from the regulators, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

However, the Senate could not conclude on the motion, following an intervention of the chairman of the Committee on Power, Enyinanya Abaribe, who informed lawmakers that his committee has a report on a similar matter waiting to be laid before the Senate.

Chairman Senate Committee on Privatisation, Ben Murray-Bruce, who lent his voice, opined that there is no quick solution to the issue of estimated billing, adding that the issue of privatisation needs to be re visited.

The motion was consequently stepped down pending the consideration of the Abaribe committee report.

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