A bill seeking to ban the importation, sale and use of generating sets in Nigeria with a 10-year-jail term for violators passed first reading at the senate last Wednesday.
The bill, which was sponsored by Sen. Muhammad Enagi Bima, is to facilitate the development of the power sector, as well as curb the menace of environmental pollution which poses potential health hazards to the country.
Essential services excluded
The proposed ban, however, excludes the use of generating sets for essential services. The bill lists the essential services to include medical: hospitals, nursing homes and healthcare facilities; airports and railway stations/services.
Others are elevators (lifts), escalators, research institutions and such facilities that require 24-hour power supply.
It states that approval for exclusion shall be obtained from the minister in charge of power who shall brief the Federal Executive Council (FEC) quarterly on approvals granted.
The bill further provides 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.”
