The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has approved a comprehensive financial relief package of N248.6 billion and a 10-year debt restructuring plan for the Kano, Jos and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos).

The move, the Green Chamber said, is aimed at stabilising the country’s troubled power sector, and easing the burden of legacy debts.

The resolution followed the adoption of a report by a technical subcommittee set up to review findings from the 2021 Auditor-General for the Federation’s report on the mounting liabilities of electricity distribution companies, as escalated by the Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company Plc (NBET).

Under the approved framework, the three DisCos would benefit from a restructuring of their historical obligations, along with a waiver of accrued interest on debts accumulated over the past decade.

The combined liabilities, covering both principal and interest, had risen significantly over the years, prompting legislative intervention to prevent further strain on the electricity market.

Chairman of the technical subcommittee, Mark Chidi Obetta, said the recommendation forms part of broader efforts by the National Assembly to address longstanding financial distortions in the sector and ensure its sustainability.

He noted that unresolved legacy debts and disputed interest charges have continued to weaken distribution companies’ operational capacity.

Findings presented to the committee showed that the total indebtedness of the eleven DisCos under review had grown substantially within a short period, driven largely by accumulating interest and persistent non-settlement of market invoices.

The investigation was to verify the Auditor-General’s claims, determine the current debt profile of the companies, and identify the factors responsible for their continued inability to meet financial obligations.

A key issue that emerged during the hearings was the disagreement over the legitimacy of interest charges on outstanding invoices.

The Jos, Ikeja and Kano DisCos argued that the prevailing Market Rules did not explicitly provide for such charges, raising concerns about the transparency and fairness of the billing framework.

In response, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) issued a directive in January 2026 instructing NBET not to apply interest on outstanding invoices covering the period between 2015 and 2020, while permitting interest charges only from 2021 onward.

The regulator also directed that any interest arising from delays involving MERISTEM, a financial intermediary introduced to address liquidity challenges in the sector, should be disregarded.

In accordance with this directive, NBET was asked to recompute the liabilities of the affected DisCos, including previously accrued interest.

The committee, subsequently, endorsed a waiver of these interest obligations and approved a structured repayment plan for the outstanding principal over a period not exceeding 10 years.

While granting the relief measures, the lawmakers stressed the need for stricter compliance with market obligations going forward.

Chairman of the committee, Bamidele Salam, warned that without sustained regulatory oversight and financial discipline, the sector could continue to face instability.

HOWEVER, the management of Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company has announced a sweeping crackdown on individuals who assault its staff members.

It warned that offenders would face prosecution and possible public exposure as incidents of violence against its workforce continue to rise.

In a statement issued yesterday, the company expressed concern over what it described as a “disturbing surge” in attacks on its field workers and third-party partners.

The company explained that the affected workers were primarily involved in meter installation, revenue collection, and maintenance of electricity infrastructure.

According to the firm, the growing trend of harassment, physical assault, and even unlawful detention of its staff poses a significant threat not only to employee safety but also to the stability of electricity service delivery across its coverage areas.

The Deputy Managing Director, Abubakar Mohammed, declared that the company would no longer tolerate any form of aggression against its workers.

He said the company plans to publicly disclose the identities of those found responsible for such attacks.

According to him, names, photographs, and other details of offenders would be published across the company’s official platforms and in national and local media.

Kaduna Electric stated that assaults on utility workers carry serious legal and financial consequences.

It also said offenders risk criminal charges that may result in fines or imprisonment, as well as civil liabilities such as compensation for medical treatment, psychological trauma, and lost work hours.

The operator reiterated its openness to resolving issues through dialogue but insisted that violence against its staff would no longer be tolerated.