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Reps move against DISCOs, GENCOs over arbitrary electricity bills

By Adamu Abuh
08 June 2016   |   2:53 am
The decision followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Mr. Muktar Dandutse (Dundume/Funtua: Katsina: APC) during the House plenary presided by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara.
House of Representatives

House of Representatives

In a bid to protect the citizenry, the House of Representatives yesterday resolved to look into allegations of the indiscriminate exploitation of citizens by the electricity generation and distribution companies (GENCOs and DISCOs).

Besides, the lawmakers have mandated the House Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation to investigate the investments and pledges of the DISCOs and GENCOs, determine what they have generated financially and their level of compliance with the privatisation agreement.

They also mandated the Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, to collaborate with relevant agencies to ensure immediate amelioration of the hardship being experienced by electricity consumers in the polity.

The decision followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Mr. Muktar Dandutse (Dundume/Funtua: Katsina: APC) during the House plenary presided by the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara.

Dandutse, while leading debate on the motion, particularly accused the DISCOs of charging arbitrary bills not minding whether there had been power outage or not.

Stressing the need for the probe, he expressed concern that there had been practically no new investment by the GENCOs and DISCOs in accordance with the privatisation agreement.

He mentioned that transformers, fallen electricity poles, pre-paid meters and other basic infrastructure were still being replaced or provided by the states, local councils, communities and individuals to buttress his claim.

He said: “I am aware that customers are being charged flat rates, which is unjustifiable in this austere period, a situation that is bringing untold hardship on the people.

“I am also worried that unqualified personnel are being allowed to handle electrical infrastructure, which increases the risk of electrocution and also leads to damages to the existing infrastructure;

“I am also disturbed that these unwholesome practices are retarding the overall progress and development of the country given that money expended on such infrastructure by communities and individuals could have been used to service other needs.”

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