BREAKING: Senate moves to prohibit use of generators

A bill to criminalise importation,  sale and use of generating sets was listed for First Reading on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday.

Tagged, “Generating Sets (Prohibition/Ban) Bill 2020,”  it was sponsored by Senator  representing Niger South Senatorial District, Muhammad Enagi Bima.

A copy of the Bill sighted by Nigerian  Tribune revealed that if passed into law,  importers, distributors and users of generating sets are liable on conviction to imprisonment, not less than ten years.

The proposed ban, however,  exempted usage of same generating sets for essential services. The Bill listed Essential Services to include, Airports,  Railway, Stations,  Escalators, among others.

It , however,  stated that “Approval for exclusion shall be obtained from the Minister in charge of Power who shall brief the Federal Executive Council quarterly on approvals granted.”

It reads in part:” Any person who:

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“(a) Imports generating sets; or (b) Knowingly sells generating sets shall be guilty of an offence and be liable on conviction to be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not less than ten years.

“Provided that this subsection shall not apply to the importation or sale of any generating set to be used for essential services.

“Ban-Excludes Essential Services

The ban/prohibition of generating sets shall not include generating sets used fon essential services which include:

“(i) Medical purposes (hospitals and nursing homes and healthcare facilities), (ii) Airports, iii) Railway stations/services, (iv) Elevators (lifts)

(v) Escalators, (vi) Research Institutions, and (-vii) such facilities that require 24 hours electric power supply:

“Approval for exclusion shall be obtained from the Minister in charge of Power who shall brief the Federal Executive Council quarterly on approvals granted.

“Ban on Use

“All persons are hereby directed to stop the use of electricity generating sets which run on diesel /petrol/ kerosene of all capacities with immediate effect in the country. ”

Senator Bima  further argued that the Bill was meant  to stem the  tide of environmental pollution and its attendant health hazards.

“This Bill seeks to ban the importation and use of generating sets (generators) in the country and to curb the menace of environmental pollution which leads to potential health hazards it poses to the whole nation.”