The House of Representatives has announced its intention to ensure that federal universities are exempted from the Band A electricity tariff plan to mitigate the burden of high electricity costs.
Abubakar Fulata, Chairman of the House Committee on University Education, made this statement on Friday in Abuja following the committee’s oversight visit to federal universities in the North-East. The universities visited included Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi and Federal University Kashere in Gombe State.
Fulata emphasized that efforts are being made to reclassify universities and other tertiary institutions out of the Band A electricity tariff category. He expressed confidence that the government would heed their call, much like the previous exclusion of universities from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).
The committee highlighted that many universities are struggling to cope with the increased electricity tariffs. Fulata also urged the management of these universities to adhere to relevant laws, particularly the Appropriation Act.
During the oversight visit, Victor Ogene, a committee member, raised concerns about discrepancies in the financial records of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University between 2021 and 2023. He questioned the university’s management on the imprudent expenditure on revenue-generating facilities such as guest houses.
“Is it appropriate to generate less than N800,000 from the school guest house while spending over N5 million to maintain it?” Ogene queried.
Another committee member, Adamu Gamawa, reminded the universities that extra-budgetary spending is unconstitutional. “For instance, you cannot budget N10 million and spend N15 million. That is why there is a provision for a supplementary budget,” Gamawa explained.
Sani Kunya, Vice Chancellor of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, commended the committee for their support and sought further assistance to address the university’s challenges. Similarly, Usman Pate, Vice Chancellor of Federal University Kashere, expressed gratitude to the lawmakers for their visit. Pate noted that in addition to infrastructural issues, security challenges deter many lecturers from working at the institution.
(NAN)
