The Federal Government has disclosed that it will start subsidising electricity in universities and health institutions under Band A feeders. Adebayo Adelabu, the Minister of Power, made this known yesterday when he appeared on a programme aired by different radio stations in Ibadan, Oyo State......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
He, however, noted that the government would not subsidise private businesses operating in these universities and hospitals.
After the Federal Government removed subsidies from customers categorised as Band A and upgraded their daily electricity supply to a minimum of 20 hours daily, universities and public hospitals cried out that their bills had skyrocketed
Speaking of this, the minister said the government is aware that universities and hospitals are having challenges paying the bills.
“We know they are development institutions, they are social institutions. However, inside health and educational institutions, private businesses are hiding. These people charge their customers commercially and they expect to be subsidised because they are located within the territories of these institutions.
“We said no, go and do a proper search and meter everybody. For the ones that are properly health and education-related, we are ready to subsidise them, even if they are on Band A. We are compiling our data, DisCos will collect a certain amount and the government will pay the balance. But we must get the data right so that we are not subsidising a private business that is charging its customers commercially. That will be an abnormal profit and it is unfair,” he stated.