The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, introduced a bill to ban the use of generators in the country.
The bill which was sponsored by Senator Bima Muhammadu Emagi (APC Niger South), passed its first reading on the floor of the red chamber.
If eventually signed into law, the bill dubbed ‘Generating Set (Prohibition/Ban) Bill’, will prohibit the usage of generating sets in the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Unarguably, the power situation in Nigeria is erratic.
Inadequate power supply has been a major challenge for millions of Nigerians for decades. The ban shall not include generator sets used for essential services which include:
- Medical purposes (hospitals and nursing homes and healthcare facilities).
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Airports.
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Railway stations/services.
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Elevators (lifts).
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Escalators.
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Research Institutions
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Facilities that require 24 hours electric power supply.
“Approval for exclusion shall, however, be obtained from the Minister in charge of Power, who shall brief the Federal Executive Council quarterly on approvals granted.”
The bill further directs “all persons to stop the use of electricity generating sets which run on diesel/petroI/kerosene of all capacities with immediate effect, in the country.”
“This bill seeks to ban the importation and use of generating sets (generators) in the country and to curb the menace of environmental pollution which leads to potential health hazards it poses to the whole nation,” part of the document read.
The lawmakers are expected to debate the details of the bill on another legislative day.