SENATE SET TO CRIMINALIZE GENERATOR IMPORTATION

10 Year Jail Term for Offenders

Address The Main Issue- LCCI to Senate

A bill for an act to criminalise the importation, selling and usage of generators in Nigeria, which was sponsored by Senator Birma Enagi from Niger State, scaled the first reading on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday. The bill prescribes 10 year-jail term for importers and sellers of generators. This is despite the energy crisis bedevilling the nation as most parts of the country are currently experiencing erratic power supply.

According to Senator Birma Enagi, the essence of the proposed legislation was to curb the menace of environmental pollution and to facilitate the development of the power sector.

The bill states, “Any person who imports generators or knowingly sells generators shall be guilty of an offence and be liable on conviction to be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not less than 10 years.”

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However, importers and sellers of generators meant to power essential services were excluded. The exemption includes generators meant to serve medical purposes in hospitals and nursing homes and healthcare facilities. Airports, railway stations, elevators, escalators, research institutions, and such facilities that require 24-hours electric power supply are also exempted.

According to the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the sponsor of the bill did not capture the reality of the power situation in the country. Power shortage is the biggest challenge facing Nigeria as a country, taking a huge toll on businesses as well as on the welfare of the people.The heavy dependence by Nigerians on generators for electricity was a direct consequence of the failure of the power sector. Thus, the LCCI described the proposition as unrealistic.

The Director-General, LCCI, Dr Muda Yusuf, said that the expectations of Nigerians from the lawmakers was a proposal on how to urgently fix the problem of power, and not restriction of generator import.

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He said, “The proposition is not a realistic one. It does not show that its promoter is in touch with the reality of the power situation. Is it the fault of Nigerians that they have to rely on generators for power supply?”