FG Begins Transmission Facilities Repairs, Charges DisCos on Performance

The federal government is now pulling the strings challenging the power sector value chain to execute key projects that will engender new efficient service delivery or stay off.

The minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, concerned about the deteriorating electricity supply across the country has immediately summoned the chief executives of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), as well as the managing director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), to a crucial meeting.

The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the worsening power supply in their respective regions and to collectively find lasting solutions.

The minister said it is disheartening to witness the decline in power supply despite the concerted efforts to improve the situation.

According to a message in his ‘X’ (Twitter), he said, the ministry has been exerting pressure on the Generating Companies (GENCOs) to enhance their performance, resulting in a recent increase in generation to over 4000MW.

Adelabu also expressed disappointment that despite this progress, certain Distribution Companies(DisCos), are failing to adequately distribute the power supplied by TCN, while vandalism of power infrastructure exacerbates the problem in regions such as Abuja, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan.

“Moving forward, I am committed to holding all distribution companies accountable for their performance. Willful non-performance will not be tolerated, and severe consequences, including license revocation, may be imposed. Additionally, I have instructed TCN to prioritize repair works on damaged transmission towers and power lines to improve supply in affected regions,” he stressed.

During recent supervisory visits to power generating plants, Adelabu disclosed that, he witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by the sector but that plans are underway to settle outstanding debts owed to power generation and gas supply companies, which will alleviate the financial strain and contribute to improved generation levels nationwide.

He pleaded with electricity consumers to remain patient as ‘we work tirelessly to address these issues and provide better service to all Nigerians.’

Adelabu threatened to revoke the licenses of power distribution companies (DisCos) over persistent poor power supply in the country.

He vowed to hold all DisCos accountable for their performance, saying, “willful non-performance would not be tolerated by the government.

“Additionally, I have instructed TCN to prioritise repair works on damaged transmission towers and power lines to improve supply in affected regions. During recent supervisory visits to power-generating plants, I have witnessed firsthand the challenges faced by the sector.

“Plans are underway to settle outstanding debts owed to power generation and gas supply companies, which will alleviate the financial strain and contribute to improved generation levels nationwide. I urge electricity consumers to remain patient as we work tirelessly to address these issues and provide better service to all Nigerians.”

Data from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) revealed on Monday that the DisCos failed to distribute 1,769.91 megawatts of electricity between February 1 and February 14 despite the widespread blackout in the country.