WorldStage Newsonline– The House of Representatives has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving a 50 per cent electricity subsidy for universities, hospitals, and other tertiary institutions of learning.
Rep. Abubakar Fulata, the Chairman of the House Committee on University Education, gave the commendation in a statement on Monday in Abuja.
Similarly, Chairperson, Senate Committee on Health (Secondary and Tertiary), Sen. Ipalibo Banigo, has commended President Bola Tinubu for approving a 50 per cent electricity subsidy for public hospitals nationwide.
Fulata commended Tinubu for his magnanimity in yielding to their call and subsidising electricity tariffs for tertiary institutions.
Fulata said his committee in the last few weeks had visited over 30 federal universities in 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He said that the high electricity tariff had affected almost all the universities in Nigeria.
“While almost all the universities are struggling to pay the high electricity tariff, some of them have been disconnected from public light by the electricity distribution companies.
“Prior to the grouping of electricity users that placed universities in Band ‘A’, which is the group that pays the highest electricity tariff, some of the universities could no longer afford the bill.
He said, “For instance, the University of Jos was paying around N20 million monthly, but after the grouping, the institution’s monthly electricity tariff jumped up to over N100 million.
He said that UNIJOS was one of the universities disconnected from public light due to this challenge of high tariffs.
“So we are grateful for this decision the President has taken as it will go along way in addressing the challenge of electricity supply in the tertiary institutions of learning in the country.
He said that this was not the first time the President would listen and yield to the Reps call for improvement in the educational sector.
According to him, we have talked about the issue of IPPIS, which brought a heavy burden on university management, like seeking permission from about seven MDAs before even a cleaner will be recruited.
He added that the President listened and approved the removal of tertiary institutions from IPPIS, adding that the President also yielded its call in reconstituting the councils for tertiary institutions.
Fulata expressed confidence that irrespective of political affiliation, ethnic, and religious differences, the lawmakers would continue to partner with the executive arm.
This, he said, also includes relevant stakeholders to improve the standard of education in the country.
It would be recalled that the Minister of State for Health, Dr. Tunji Alausa, broke the news of the 50 percent electricity subsidy for tertiary institutions and hospitals in Kaduna.
Alausa said the Ministry of Power was already working out the subsidy payment modalities.
SENATE
Sen. Ipalibo Banigo who sponsored a bill for an act to amend the electricity act in 2023, in a statement expressed excitement at the federal government’s intervention, describing it as a much-needed relief for the country’s health sector.
The bill was to include all health facilities across the country, including hospitals, primary healthcare centres, and other healthcare institutions, as eligible beneficiaries for subsidies from the Power Consumer Assistance Fund.
According to Banigo, the subsidy will significantly reduce the operational costs of public hospitals, which have been burdened by rising electricity bills,
She said that the subsidy would equally improve health care delivery in the country.
While applauding the 50 per cent electricity subsidy, Banigo explained that with the reduction in utility costs, hospitals would have more funds available for essential medical supplies, equipment maintenance and staff welfare.
She said that this was a testament of the federal government’s promise to make healthcare more affordable and accessible to all citizens, especially the most vulnerable.
“This initiative will not only reduce the financial strain on these healthcare institutions but also lower out-of-pocket expenses for patients who often bear the brunt of increased operational costs,” she said.
Reiterating her commitment to improved health care delivery in the country, the lawmaker pledged to work closely with the executive arm of government to ensure the successful implementation of the subsidy.
Banigo said that as Tinubu’s administration made healthcare a priority, this subsidy marked another step towards achieving universal health coverage under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
She also highlighted the need for sustainable measures that would enhance the overall efficiency of healthcare facilities.
She said that her office would continue to exploring innovative solutions to address the challenges facing the sector.
She, however, called on stakeholders in the health sector to support the government’s efforts to revitalise healthcare services across the country, as affordable and quality healthcare remains a basic need for human existence.
