The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has issued a stern warning to electricity distribution companies (DisCos) regarding the continued epileptic power supply nationwide.
In a statement posted through his official account on Tuesday, Adelabu revealed that he had convened a meeting with the Chief Executives of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), and the Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
Expressing dismay over the persistent decline in power supply despite efforts to enhance the situation, Adelabu declared that the government would hold DisCos accountable for their non-performance.
He emphasized that TCN had been directed to prioritize repair works on damaged transmission towers and power lines to ameliorate the situation in affected regions.
Adelabu highlighted the Ministry’s efforts to pressure Generating Companies (GENCOs) to improve their performance, resulting in increased power generation to over 4000MW. However, he lamented that certain distribution companies were failing to distribute the power supplied by TCN adequately.
He also noted that vandalism of power infrastructure further exacerbated the problem in several regions, including Abuja, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan.
In response to these challenges, Adelabu affirmed his commitment to holding DisCos accountable, warning of severe consequences, including license revocation, for willful non-performance. Additionally, he reiterated his instructions to TCN to prioritize repair works to enhance power supply in affected areas.
The Minister assured that plans were underway to settle outstanding debts owed to power generation and gas supply companies, aiming to alleviate financial strains and contribute to improved generation levels nationwide. He urged electricity consumers to remain patient as efforts were underway to address these issues and deliver better service to all Nigerians.
It’s worth noting that Adelabu had previously summoned AEDC, IBEDC, and TCN CEOs over the worsening power supply four days prior to the statement.
