The House of Representatives in Nigeria has made a passionate plea to the Federal Government to address the critical issue of power supply in teaching hospitals, medical centers, and universities by implementing solar power solutions.
This urgent call comes in response to the challenges posed by the recent electricity tariff hike and the unreliable power grid in the country.
During Tuesday’s plenary session, Mr. Bamidele Salam, representing Ede North/Ede South/Egbedero Federal Constituency in Osun State, presented a motion titled, “Matter of urgent public importance on the need for the Federal Government to devise means to support teaching hospitals, medical centers, and universities with mini solar grids and other alternative power sources to prevent loss of lives and disruptions in their services.”
Salam highlighted the financial strain faced by these institutions due to the increased electricity tariff, stating, “Teaching hospitals, medical centers, and universities are all in Band A due to the peculiar need to constantly power medical equipment… The House is worried that this increment is huge and unaffordable by these tertiary health institutions in Nigeria, hence the need to provide an affordable and sustainable alternative.”
The lawmaker also emphasised the dire consequences of inaction, warning that the health and education sectors in Nigeria could collapse, endangering the lives of citizens.
“According to an investigation, the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (pays N75m monthly, which translates to N2.5 million per day; the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (operated by Bayero University, Kano) pays N119m per month (approximately N4 million daily).
“Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital pays N50m monthly (N1.66 million each day), Jos University Teaching Hospital pays N31m or N1.03m daily, and University of Nigeria, Nsukka Teaching Hospital parts with N50m monthly, or N1.66m daily.
In the case of the University of Ibadan, the lawmaker noted that before the new tariff regime, “It was indebted to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company to the tune of N495m and had its power disconnected ” he explained.
