By Moses Patience Chat
The House of Representatives has urged the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) to ensure they find a lasting solution to power distribution and supply crisis across the country.
The call was made by a member of the House, Unyime Idem, who represents Ukanafun and Oruk Anam Federal Constituency in Akwa Ibom State. He made the call based on a motion adopted by the House at a plenary on Tuesday in Abuja, which was titled ” Urgent Need for the House Intervention and Prevention of Total Collapse of Power Supply to the Whole Nation”.
Moving the motion, Idem said that the House was worried about the frequent and incessant interruption of power supply across the nation in the past weeks, which has disrupted business activities and lives of Nigerians who are also burdened with several increase in tariff.
The lawmaker noted that the federal government, through TCN and the Market Operator, had reportedly begun disconnecting Discos that are not complying with codes and guidelines of operation.
He also warned that millions of electricity consumers in Nigerian homes and communities may be thrown into darkness in the coming weeks as the Market Operator and TCN have begun a massive disconnection of debtor Discos from the national grid.
Idem further noted that there have been an extension of the 60 days grace period that was given to defaulting Discos, and that they are expected to comply with the provisions of the market rules which includes payment of their outstanding invoices, posting of adequate bank guarantees and forwarding of their active Power Purchase Agreements to the Market Operator division of TCN.