Nigerians have begun to call out their representatives at the National Assembly following the introduction of a bill to ban the sale and use of generators.
The bill titled “a bill for an Act to prohibit/ban the importation of generating sets to curb the menace of environmental (air) pollution and to facilitate the development of the power sector” passed First Reading at the Senate on Wednesday.
Sen. Bima Enagi (APC – Niger South) sponsored the bill, which prescribes a 10-year jail term for anyone caught selling generators.
According to the sponsor, the bill when passed will stop “the use of electricity generating sets which run on diesel/petrol/kerosene of all capacities with immediate effect, in the country.”
It will also 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”.
However, the ban shall not include generator sets used for essential services such as medical purposes, airports, railway stations, elevators, escalators, research institutions, and facilities that require a 24-hour 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 supporting document read in part.
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However, many Nigerians who took to social media queried how a country with an unstable power supply would be able to sustain the ban on generators in residential areas, which the bill appears to target.
See some reactions on Twitter;
Improve electricity generation in the country. There will be reduction in the demand for generator and this will automatically discourage its importation. It's not that logical but our legislators prefer to write bill for every situation.
— 'Leke (@Lekside04_) March 11, 2020
So many stupid bills getting introduced at our legislatures.
Just heard about a bill to ban power generators from the country, a country with a struggling power sector. Smh
— Johnny Drille (@Johnnydrille) March 11, 2020
These generator companies are the major reasons for power issues in this country. I support the bill cause it will help and also it doesn't affect those who have generators already
— Albertium (@albertiummusic) March 11, 2020
The Rubber Stamp Senate is unarguably the worst Senate since 1960:
From hiding the line items of the N125bn budget of NASS to N36bn for renovation of NASS.
From $22.7 Billion loan approval to SocialMediaBill
Now, a bill to ban importation of generators
— IKECHUKWU (@iykimo) March 11, 2020
From SM bill, to a bill to create agency for repented Boko Haram members, now a bill seeking to ban generators in Ngeria has passed first reading at the Senate, in a country without stable electricity.
We should create more awareness on mental health especially for NASS members.— Zaddy Ajala (@UNCLE_AJALA) March 11, 2020
Social Media Bill-Sponsored By Niger East Senator
Hate Speech Bill -Sponsored By Niger North Senator
Generating Set (ProhibitionBan) Bill-Sponsored By Niger South Senator
….are you thinking what I'm thinking?🤔 @MrFixNigeria @henryshield @AishaYesufu— Ifeyinwa Nwobi (@Ifeyinwanwobi2) March 11, 2020
