We’re Not In Senate To Make Money, But To Sacrifice For Future Generations — Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has declared that members of the National Assembly are not in the Senate to enrich themselves, but to make sacrifices that will benefit future generations.

Akpabio made the statement on Tuesday during debate on the general principles of a bill seeking to amend the Electricity Act, 2023. The bill, sponsored by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe (APGA, Abia South), aims to address emerging challenges in Nigeria’s power sector and improve its overall framework.

He stressed the importance of a functional electricity system to Nigeria’s development, saying:
“People think we are here in the Senate to make money, not knowing that we are here to sacrifice for future generations.”

Akpabio noted that no country can experience meaningful industrial growth without reliable electricity, and that stakeholders are expecting a comprehensive overhaul of the power sector.

The proposed legislation, titled “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Electricity Act, 2023” (SB. 862), is designed to:

• Tackle emerging sectoral issues
• Improve policy and regulatory coordination
• Strengthen financing frameworks
• Protect critical infrastructure
• Clarify transitional arrangements between federal and state oversight
• Redefine host community engagement
• Foster better industrial relations

If passed and signed into law, the amendment will also clarify the transition of intrastate electricity responsibilities from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to state governments—especially in areas related to national grid operations and jurisdictional overlaps.

The bill passed second reading and has been referred to the Senate Committee on Power, which is expected to report back within six weeks.