The House of Representatives has stated why it is attempting to remove federal universities from the Band A electricity tariff plan in order to reduce their high electricity bills.
Rep. Abubakar Fulata, Chairman of the House Committee on University Education, made the revelation on Friday in Abuja, following an oversight visit to Federal Universities in the Northeast.
The universities visited included Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi and Federal University Kashare in Gombe State.
Fulata stated that attempts are underway to move universities and other tertiary institutions out of the Band A electricity tariff bracket.
Fulata expressed confidence that the government would heed their request and adjust the tariff plan for universities, similar to the recent changes made for the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
The committee noted that many universities are struggling with their electricity bills due to recent tariff increases. Fulata also urged the management of the two universities to adhere to relevant legal frameworks, including the Appropriation Act.
Rep. Victor Ogene, a committee member, raised concerns about discrepancies in the income and expenditure records of ATBU between 2021 and 2023. He questioned the appropriateness of spending more than N5 million on maintaining a school guest house that generates less than N800,000 in income.
Rep. Adamu Gamawa, another committee member, emphasised that extra-budgetary spending is prohibited and must be avoided. He stressed that if an institution budgets N10 million, it should not exceed that amount without a supplementary budget.
Prof. Sani Kunya, Vice-Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, thanked the committee and requested assistance in addressing the university’s difficulties.
Similarly, Prof. Usman Pate, Vice-Chancellor of Federal University Kashare, thanked the lawmakers for their visit and stated that security worries are influencing lecturers’ motivation to work at the institution.