By Abimbola Ogunnaike
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has threatened non-performing distribution companies (discos) with licence revocation as Nigerians suffer power outage in the country.
Adebayo said it is disheartening to witness the decline in power supply despite the concerted efforts to improve the situation.
The Minister, who stated this on his X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, 6 March, 2024, said :“The Ministry has been exerting pressure on the Generating Companies (GENCOs) to enhance their performance, resulting in a recent increase in generation to over 4000MW. Despite this progress, certain distribution companies are failing to adequately distribute the power supplied by TCN, while vandalism of power infrastructure exacerbates the problem in regions such as Abuja, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan.”
As the Minister of Power, I am deeply concerned about the deteriorating electricity supply across the country. In response to this pressing issue, I have summoned the Chief Executives of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.
“Moving forward, I am committed to holding all distribution companies accountable for their performance. Willful non-performance will not be tolerated, and severe consequences, including license revocation, may be imposed,” he said.
The Minister has also directed Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to immediately commence repair works on the damaged transmission towers and power lines in order to improve supply in the affected regions.
Adelabu also summoned the Chief Executives of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) over the worsening power supply in their areas of coverage. He also summoned TCH Managing Director, Sule Abdulazeez, over the deteriorating power situation.
