FG Reads Riot Act to DISCO, GENCO, Consumers on Sabotage of Power Supply

The Federal Government of Nigeria has read riot act to the Distribution Companies (DISCO), Generation Companies (GENCO) and consumers of electricity in the country, saying that it would wield a big stick on the people sabotaging stable power supply in the country.

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Raji Fashola stated this yesterday at the 14^th Power Sector Stakeholders Forum held at the Transmission Centre in Osogbo, Osun State capital.

Fashola said that the time has come for everybody in the power sector, including the consumers to be accountable and responsible to the responsibilities of having steady power supply in Nigeria.

L-R: Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs Titi-Laoye Tomori, Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Mr Raji Fashola at the 14th Monthly Meting of Power Sector held at the facility of the Transmission Centre, Osogbo, Osun State on Monday, April 10, 2017.

The Minister said: After 60 years of electricity experience, nobody would believe that it is going to be you work in the park, you make the change. Mr President and the present government are determined to make the change, and it requires everybody to play their roles honestly, accountable, and efficiently.

“Government is determined to enforce the law in the sector, including on itself. Government is not above the law. The daily loses in the power sector are avoidable and they must be avoided. Every loss must be accounted for or paid for, whether by cash or by sanctions or combination of both and law.

“This is a business and I have cause to say that in every business that is formally run, when loses occur, those who run the business pay for it either by losing their job or making refund or by resigning. We are heading in that direction, whether in the government or in the private sector.

“We will enforce every law and we will apportion it at every sector. We expect that every stakeholders in the sector to work in accordance with the law.”

Fashola added: “Let me say that the large part of the power sector is in now in private hands. It is important to emphasize that the burden of compliance will shift to their side. Every complaint from customers must be addressed. You must be responsible to your customers. You must put yourself out there, you must show that you own the business and you are ready to serve.

“You have to be explaining to the public what the problems are, how long it will take and what to do. The consumers deserve the right to know what is happening even when you are fixing the problem. It is comforting, inspiring and builds trust in service. I urge you to brace up.

“We all know the terms and conditions under which you acquire the business, you know what you contracted to do and what the consequences of failing to do it is. The regulators have stated it clearly that they have issued orders and placing emphases on compliance.

Participants at the meeting

“If anyone is in doubt about the rights and obligations under the privatization prigramme, I urge that person to seek proficient professional advice as soon as possible. We will enforce the contractual terms on the privatization of the power sector.”

The minister urged consumers to support the effort of the Federal Government in having stable power supply.

He said: “Consumers who demand service are also expected to change their ways, they must be prepared to pay for what they use. They must understand that energy theft is a serious offence and they will be punished. They must also stop assaulting the service providers.

“We have reports of consumers and customers going to vandalize assets and facilities of service providers. All of these must stop. They are matters of criminality and we will enforce the laws on them. Those who damage power assets are economic saboteurs and government will not relent in its commitment in using the law to checkmate that.

“Those perpetrators of these acts and they are in doubt of the consequences; whether you are employees of the DISCOS going to the house of consumers to collect their prepaid meters or encourage them to give them money to bypass charging, or going to steal transformers or other asset should seek advice.

“Government will have no reservation at all in applying the whole sanctions. This while we are regulators and we will ensure service.”

Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who graced the occasion with his Deputy, Mrs Titi-Laoye Tomori and his Chief of Staff, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, acknowledged the improvement in power supply, commending the federal government on its move to address the challenges in the power sector.

A communiqué was issued at the end of the forum which lasted for about four hours.