Conduct ‘energy audit’ of electricity consumers, Fashola tells DISCOs

Minister of Power, Housing and Works, Babatunde Raji Fashola, has tasked electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) to conduct “energy audit” of consumers, before transmission and distribution of electricity could be improved.

Fashola, who stated this yesterday in Maiduguri at the monthly meeting with power sector stakeholders and participants at Baga Road power sub-station, said besides the non-audit of energy, vandalisation of electricity equipment in Borno State has also deprived residents and companies of regular supply of power.

He said: “You have to shed power because equipment has been damaged for years, and nobody seems to be responding to it. That will change from today (Monday).“We cannot increase power supply without actually knowing what the energy needs of the people are. We expect the DISCOs to conduct an energy audit of all their consumers.

“That is where we will really know what people need and work with the DISCOs, generation and transmission companies to actually take the energy to where it is actually most needed and by whom it is needed.”

The minister, who noted that Borno State would take the lead in conducting the electricity consumption audit, as the template audit would be sent for implementation, said some of the commissioners from the state have asked for an increase in the supply of electricity.

He, however, said that the media should also assist the power sector in educating the people to switch off electricity appliances when they are not in use.Speaking on regulators of electricity, Fasola said: “The regulators of this industry have published fact-based ranking of all distribution, transmission and generation companies. They have mphasised the need for the openness of the industry; especially the distribution companies to improve on their operations.”