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Fed govt advised to withdraw discos’ license Over failure

By Stanley Ihedigbo 
The Federal Government has been asked to urgently withdraw the license of Distribution Companies (Discos)  due to inability of the companies  to supply power to its consumers across the nation and endemic corruption.
The Human Right, Liberty Access and Peace, Defenders ‘Foundation  (HURIDE), in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja after its crucial expanded National Executive meeting to discuss the detoriating power supply in the country particularly in South East,South South,South West and other Northern regions.
The group  Coordinator,  Comrade Dede Uzor,  lamented over  corruption and callousness of the Discos  that has brought untold hardships to Nigerian citizens.
The foundation also accused  National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) over its inability to discipline distribution companies who are said to have sponsored  the All Progressives Congress (APC)  presidential elections.
“That is why there is deterioration and lack of improvement in power sector since the inception of this administration in 2015, despite the huge investment in the power sector” he said.
Uzor lamented that despite stupendous resources pumped into the sector, the country has not been able to generate up to 5,000 mega watts due to endemic corruption and unprofessionalism on both sides of Discos and Federal Government.
“We  challenge Federal Government  to declare a State of emergency in energy sector because the situation showed ” incapacitation and inaction by both FG and Discos.
” We also called for the overhauling and prioritisation of energy needs of the country to ensure a certain degree of transparency in the system.
“But these cannot be possible if the present Discos still remained in charge.
Therefore they should be axed, even NERC should be overhauled. It is sad that South Africa has 90, 000 mw, other Southern African countries like Botswana have over 70,000mw and above but Nigeria  has been unable to generate 5,000mw” the group decried ” , he further lamented.
He called  on the Minister of Power, chairman and members of NERC to immediately resign and a new Minister and an interim Management board made up of competent  professionals, men and women of integrity appointed to manage the crisis ridden  power sector.
“An independent professional companies should be appointed to manage Discos for one year, when new sets of investors should take over in a transparent manner.
“The plunging of Onitsha and its environs into total darkness. Apart from Onitsha metropolis, the adjourning towns like Obosi, Iyiowa, Odekpe, Ogbaru, Awada, Ogidi, Nkpor, 3-3, Nkwelle, Ogbunike among many other communities have  been reduced to two- hour supply daily, while the consumers are being compelled to pay over N10, 000 per month estimated billings”, he stressed.

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