The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, has announced plans by the Federal government to phase out subsidy payments in the power sector from 2027.

Tegbe made the announcement during a media parley with newsmen in Abuja on Friday, July 31.

According to the Minister, the subsidy will be gradually removed, but noted that Nigerians will not be deprived of any benefits.

He also ruled out any plans to increase electricity tariffs in the immediate term.

Nigeria’s power sector has long been weighed down by a gap between what distribution companies collect from consumers and what it actually costs to generate and transmit electricity, a shortfall the government has covered through subsidies over the years

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The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reaffirmed that it will not reverse its ban on small-volume alcoholic drinks in Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview, the agency’s South-East Zonal Director, Dr Festus Ukadike, said enforcement of the ban is already underway, targeting manufacturers and distributors of sachet alcoholic beverages. Ukadike said the next phase of the enforcement would involve removing the remaining affected products from the market.

He added that the ban would not disrupt legitimate businesses, noting that companies can continue producing alcoholic beverages in bottles of 200ml or more. According to him, arrests and seizures have already been recorded across the South-East, including in Enugu, Imo, Abia, Ebonyi and Anambra states.

Ukadike said protecting children from early exposure to alcohol was a major reason behind the policy. “If our children are no longer exposed to sachet alcohol, they will live healthier lives, curb antisocial behaviours and promote the country’s fight against cancer and other terminal diseases,” he said.

He also urged consumers to moderate their alcohol consumption, saying the absence of sachet alcohol should not be viewed as a major setback. Addressing concerns about affordability, Ukadike maintained that public health considerations take precedence over commercial interests.

He added that within the next 12 months, Nigeria is expected to have a regulatory framework under which no alcoholic drink will be sold in packaging smaller than 200ml. Some consumers expressed mixed reactions to the ban. Charles Otubo said the restriction should apply only in motor parks to help reduce road accidents caused by drunk driving.

Another consumer, identified simply as Godwin, said he had seen schoolchildren buying sachet alcoholic drinks, putting them in their school bags and taking them to school. He suggested that alcoholic drinks should instead be sold only at designated liquor stores.

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The Minister of Power, Joseph Tegbe, said there are no plan to increase electricity tariffs beyond the current level.

Tegbe said this during a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, July 31.

He said the priorities of the Tinubu administration are improving electricity service delivery, expanding access to electricity, and ensuring that Nigerians pay only for the electricity they consume.

The minister said that, over the last two weeks, the country has consistently generated 5,000 megawatts of electricity.

“We are already witnessing encouraging improvements in electricity generation. Over the course of the last two weeks, we have consistently generated 5,000MW.

“Permit me to address two issues that have generated considerable public discussion. First, there is no policy by this administration to increase electricity tariffs beyond the current level. Our priority is not a tariff increase in the immediate term. Our priority is service improvement, universal metering, and ensuring Nigerians pay only for the electricity they actually consume,” he stated.

He added that the objective of the Federal Government is to provide reliable electricity to homes across the country.

“Our ambition is clear: reliable electricity that powers our homes.”

Tegbe’s comments come amid debate over a fresh electricity tariff hike, fuelled by remarks made by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Power Infrastructure, Sadiq Wanka.

Nigerian electricity consumers have kicked against the proposed electricity tariff hike.

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