A bill to ban the use of electricity generating sets in Nigeria has passed first reading at the Senate during plenary on Wednesday.
The bill, sponsored by Bima Enagi, senator representing Niger South, is proposing a ban on the use of electric generators in the country.
The bill also seeks to ban the import of all kinds of generators into Nigeria.
The bill proposes a minimum of 10 years of jail term for anyone who imports or sells generators in Nigeria.
It states that anybody who: “Imports generating sets; or knowingly sells generating sets shall be guilty of an offense and be liable on conviction to be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not less than ten years”.
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It added that all persons are hereby directed to “stop the use of electricity generating sets which run on diesel/petrol/kerosene of all capacities with immediate effect in the country”.
The bill, however, makes provision for the use of generators for “essential services”. Such essential services must obtain a permit from the Minister of power.
Essential services according to the bill include medical purposes (hospitals and nursing homes and healthcare facilities), airports and railway stations/ services.
Also listed as essential services are elevators, escalators, research institutions and such facilities that require 24 hours of electric power supply.
