How power sector can rescue Nigeria from recession —House of Reps

The House of Representatives has suggested that the power sector is a veritable tool that can rescue Nigeria from recession. Nigeria officially entered into recession mid 2016 when the Finance Minister, Mrs Kemi Adeosun confirmed to stakeholders at a forum in Abuja.

However, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Power, Hon. Dan Asuquo, has said that a viable and purpose-driven power sector is capable of bailing out Nigeria from the current recession afflicting it.

Asuquo, who made the declaration at a public session with customers of Eko Electricity Distribution Company in Lagos at the weekend, stated that if the country gets the power sector right there would be inflow of investment and more job opportunities which would boost Nigeria’s industrialisation.

He assured stakeholders present that his committee is committed to ensure that the power sector is well managed through application of relevant legislation and intervention that would ensure that Nigerians derive appropriate benefits from the privatization of the sector.

He said the government has given a renewed commitment to the power sector through appreciable expenditure provided in the 2017 budget proposal, adding that the lawmakers would partner with the executive arm of government to ensure that things improved in the sector next year.

Asuquo charged power distribution companies in the country to play by the rules of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act of 2005, even as he implored customers to cooperate with service providers to improve the nation’s power sector.

In his comment, the Head, Consumer Affairs, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Hardley Blue-Jack, said his agency would not rest on its oars in ensuring that standards and rules are complied with by stakeholders in the nation’s power sector.

He advised power distribution companies in the country to adequately meter customers in their network in line with the agreement they signed with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) when they bought the power assets.

He also said distribution companies should ensure that customers are given due notice before disconnecting them in case of default.

According to him, “customers should also make use of customer care units and forum offices of power distribution companies in the country to express their grievances on the services provided by the companies.”

The Managing Director of Eko Electricity Company, Mr Oladele Amoda, said his company is desirous of giving its best to the customers with a view to satisfying them and providing value addition services.

He posited that his company can only give what it receives from the grid. He also emphasize that Eko Distribution Company is doing its best at improving quality of service to its customers through investment in transformers to replace the new faulty ones and provide new ones to where they are needed.

According to him, “the company is always thinking of how to satisfy its customers. The purchase of the new transformers is to ensure that our customers enjoy the yuletide season with quality supply.

“We have embarked on massive replacement of faulty transformers within the network, we expected customers to reciprocate this gesture by paying their bills. We also axcept communities who will benefit from the transformers not to see them as public property but as their own so that they can help us safeguard the transformers against vandalism by unscrupulous elements.”