Reps query N2.7bn package for 7 NERC board members

The lower legislative house on Wednesday hinted of plans to probe the proposed N2.7billion severance package by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission.
The House resolution was sequel to the adoption of the prayers of motion brought under urgent public importance by a member, Hon. Mohammed Gololo entitled, “need to halt the planned payment of N2.7 billion by the board of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission to its members.”
Gololo, while arguing the motion revealed the decision by the Board to pay its chairman and six members a severance package of N2.7 billion- with N400 million for the chairman and N380 million for each of the six members.
According to him, the approval of the payment of the severance package by the members of the board of NERC conflicts with the recommendations of the National Salaries Incomes and Wages Commission and thus offends section 42 (1) (a) and (b) of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act.

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The lawmaker said the planned payment of the severance package for the NERC board members “is intended to cover, among other things, upfront salaries of two years for each member of the board pursuant to section 36 (2) of the electric power sector reform act which bars a member of the board from working in the power sector for a period of two years after leaving office.
“Members of the said board are not entitled to the payment of upfront salaries of two years since section 36 (2) of the Electric power sector reform act does not bar them in any way from working in non power sectors during the period,” he further argued.
The motion was unanimously supported by members when put to vote by the Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara.

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