NBA seeks abolition of fixed electricity charge

 

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for the abolition of fixed charge being paid by electricity consumers in the country on the ground that it is unjustifiable and illegal.

It recommended that the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC’s) policy on maintenance fees charged on meters amount to oppressive, multiple taxation and should be discontinued forthwith.

The association also called for the abolition of oil subsidy policy in

view of corruption in the process and suggested transparent harnessing and deployment of the nation’s resources.

NBA, which justified the law prohibiting same-sex marriage, said the law on prohibition of the practice “does not amount to a violation of any individual’s fundamental human rights.”

On the position of the law on the role of First Ladies, the association the noted that although wives of the President and Governors could contribute to national development, “there being no constitutional recognition of that office, the first lady is to complement the duties of the President and not embark on any parallel program already captured within various ministries.

“Projects of the First Lady should be funded from the private sector and not from public funds.”

These formed part of recommendations contained in a communiqué issued on Friday in Abuja at the end of the NBA’s 55th annual conference. The NBA President, Augustine Alegeh (SAN) read the communiqué.

The NBA said it will partner with government in the fight against corruption being critical to national development and shall work assiduously towards achieving a positive attitude against corruption amongst the Bench and Bar.

“Also critical to national development is the removal of fuel subsidy as it is one of the aggravating factors in corruption in that sector apart from the potential for national development thus afforded if funds thus freed up are duly harnessed,” it said.