The Federal Government has summoned the Chief Executives of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), over the epidemic power supply in their regions.
Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, who issued the order, also summoned the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Alhaji Sule Ahmed Abdulazeez, over the deteriorating power situation.
In a letter signed by Engineer B.U Mustapha, Director, Distribution Services, at the Federal Ministry of Power, Adelabu ordered the CEOs to appear before him next week to discuss issues concerning worsening electricity supply in their zones.
A statement by Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser, Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the Minister, said the management of other non-performing DISCOs would also be queried over non-performance as reports continue to filter in on the situation in their zones.
“These two DISCOs have been summoned due to the worsening power supply situation in their regions despite improved supply from TCN”, he said.
According to the statement, gas shortage notwithstanding, the Ministry had been putting pressure on the Generating Companies (GENCOs) to improve performance and generation has been ramped up to over 4000MW in recent days.
“So, we expect power supply to have improved across the country, unlike what we are experiencing in some regions, presently. Findings revealed that some distribution companies were deliberately not taking up power supply from TCN while vandals in Abuja, Benin, Port-Harcourt and Ibadan regions, also damaged some power lines
“Going forward, the focus would be on all the DISCOs. Wilful non-performance by any DISCO could suffice as a reason for severe punishment or outright license revocation”, the Minister warned.
Adelabu also directed TCN to immediately commence repair works on the damaged transmission towers and power lines, to improve supply in the affected regions.
By: Felix Ifijeh, THEWILL
