Chief Executives of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) have been summoned by minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, over worsening power supply in their regions.
The Managing Director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Alhaji Sule Ahmed Abdulazeez was also summoned over the deteriorating power situation.
The Director of Distribution Services at the Federal Ministry of Power, Engineer B.U Mustapha said the CEOs of these institutions have been asked to attend a meeting called by the Minister in the coming week to discuss issues bordering on worsening electricity supply in their regions with a view to proffer a lasting solution.
Bolaji Tunji, Special Adviser, Strategic Communications and Media Relations to the Minister quoted the Minister vowing management of other non-performing DISCOs would also be queried over non performance as reports continue to filter in on situation in their regions.
He said;
“These two DISCOs have been summoned due to the worsening power supply situation in their regions despite improved supply from TCN.”
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.
It added;
“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 some power lines were also damaged by vandals in Abuja , Benin, Port-Hatcourt and Ibadan regions.”
The Minister also said focus would be on all the DISCOs to compel them to expected performance while “wilful non- performance by any DISCO could suffice as a reason for severe punishment or outright license revocation”.
The Minister has also directed TCN to immediately commence repair works on the damaged transmission towers and power lines in order to improve supply in the affected regions.