•wants stiff sanction of erring Distribution Companies
By Christiana Ekpa
The House of Representatives on Tuesday tasked Federal Government through the Ministry of Power and Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to find a lasting solution to the issue of power distribution and supply across the country, with a view to avoiding the total collapse of power across the country.
The House also mandated its Committee on Power to oversee the implementation of the resolutions of the House and report back to the House within one week.
The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion on Matter of Urgent Public Importance titled: Urgent need for the House intervention and prevention of total collapse of power supply to the whole nation’, sponsored by Hon. Unyime Idem, who solicited for the House intervention.
Presenting the motion, Hon. Idem lamented the “frequency and incessant interruption of power supply across the nation in the past weeks, which has been on the increase, thus disrupting businesses and lives of Nigerians who are equally burdened with several tariff increments.
“The House is aware that recently and in the news that the Federal Government through the Transmission Company of Nigeria and the Market Operator have begun disconnecting electricity distribution companies (Discos) that are not complying with the operation codes and guidelines.
“The House is cognizant that the Market Operator, a division of Transmission Company of Nigeria, has reportedly served some of Disco’s notices of disconnection from the national grid due to their inability and failure to comply with operation ethics.
“Unfortunately, it was gathered that virtually all the distribution companies in Nigeria are defaulting in one area or the other to the detriment of the consumers ranging from non-compliance to the
market rules with respect to payment of their outstanding invoices, posting of adequate bank guarantees, and forwarding of their active Power Purchase Agreements as the case may be to the MO/TCN for failure to make remittances of ancillary services bills.
“The House is also aware that millions of electricity consumers in Nigerian homes and communities may be plunged into darkness in the coming weeks as the Federal Government through the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and the Market Operator (MO) have begun massive disconnection of debtor electricity distribution companies (Discos) from the national grid.
“Unfortunately, the news is already generating unpalatable outbursts as over 20,000 members of the Aba Landlords Protection and Development Association (ALPDA) and other Communities have threatened to mobilize and occupy streets if the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) fails to rescind their decision.
“The House notes that an extension of the grace period of 60 days given the defaulters DISCOs wherewith they are expected to comply with the provisions of the Market Rules with respect to payment of their outstanding invoices, posting of adequate bank guarantees, and forwarding of their active Power Purchase Agreements to the MO/TCN is almost over.
“The House also note that in the general interest of millions of Nigerians, this House is hereby invited to urge the erring DISCOs to seize the dialogue opportunity to fix the crisis and ensure that they comply with the market procedures; provide security deposit when so required to serve as a guarantee of payment for all amounts due from their participants to the TCN, as well as settle, in a timely manner, any payment due.
“The House further note that the Federal Government through the TCN penalize the erring DISCOs for failure to remit payment by either freezing their bank accounts or reprimand rather than suffer the masses that have been diligently paying for their power supply,” he said.
