Nigerians React To Bill Seeking To Ban Importation Of Generators

If the bill is passed, it will affect Nigerian industry owners and residents who are heavily reliant on generator sets for power backups.

Mostly taking to Twitter, critics have accused the Buhari led government of passing a law which only favours the rich.

While some say it is a compulsion to use generator sets because there are limitations in distributing power in the country due to technical non-feasibility, some say it is a welcome development if power is constant and solar panels and inverters are subsidized.

The senator representing Niger South, Bima Enagi, introduced the bill that seeks to ban the importation of generators in Nigeria.

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,” was one of the six bills read for the first time on Wednesday.
The bill prescribes, at least, ten years imprisonment for any person who knowingly sells generator sets.

Other details of the bill obtained shows that the ban shall not include generator sets used for essential services which include:
* Medical purposes (hospitals and nursing homes and healthcare facilities).
* Airports.
* Railway stations/services.
* Elevators (lifts).
* Escalators.
* Research Institutions, and
*Facilities that require 24/7 power supply