A bill seeking to ban nationwide use of power generating set better known as, generator, has passed second reading at plenary session the senate on Wedneasday

LagosTimes understands that the bill which was sponsored by senator representing Niger south, Bima Enagi, proposes to outlaw the importation and use of all kinds of generators that runs on diesel and petrol.

The bill also proposes 10 years of imprisonment for anybody who imports into or sells generators in Nigeria risks at least .

It states that anybody who: “Imports generating sets; or 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”.

It added that 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”.

The bill, however, made exceptions for generating sets used for “essential services”.

It defined essential services to include medical purposes (hospitals and nursing homes and healthcare facilities), airports and railway stations/ services.

Also listed as essential services are elevators, escalators, research institutions and such facilities that require 24 hours electric power supply.

It added that the approval for exclusion shall be obtained from the minister of power.

Majority of Nigerians depend on generators for electricity generation in their homes and businesses due to erratic epileptic nature of power supply.

The country currently generates approximately 4,000mw of electricity but distributes about 3,000mw for a population of about 200 million.