House of Representatives yesterday, summoned the Minister of Power, Babatunde Fashola, Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading PLC, NBET, National Electricity and Regulatory Commission, NERC, over the epileptic power supply across the country. Also summoned are the Generation Companies, Gencos, Distribution Companies, Discos, and stakeholders in the sector to proffer solutions towards improved sustainable electricity regime.
The invitation was sequel to a motion, which came under matters of urgent public importance brought by Johnson Agbonayinma (Edo-PDP). The motion expressed the urgent need to address the epileptic electricity supply across the nation. Agbonayinma, in his submission, noted that in 2010, it was announced that Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, which had generation, transmission and distribution of electricity would be sold to private sector to increase efficiency and profitability.
He further said after a landmark of $2.5bn transaction, the PHCN was unbundled into successor companies to increase access to electricity services, improved efficiency, affordability, reliability and quality services delivery to the nation.
He expressed concern that years of privatisation of the sector had failed to bring positive impact to the people. “What we are seeing today in electricity supplies is comatose. When the Federal Government had the distribution and generation companies, light was more constant than what Nigerians are experiencing today,” he said.
Agbonayinma expressed worry that the private sector that inherited over 4000 megawatts when it was being operated by the government, was battling with less than 1,500 megawatts putting the nation in darkness. He further expressed concern that NBET, who in their contractual agreement, promised to allocate and provide up to 5,000mw, could only as at today provide less than 1,500mw for the entire nation.
The motion was unanimously adopted by the House through a voice vote by the Speaker Yakubu Dogara.
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