The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee investigating Nigeria’s power sector reforms and expenditure from 2007 to 2024 has summoned the Managing Directors of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and Jos Electricity Distribution Company over their absence at a hearing to probe their operations.
Chairman of the committee, Hon. Al-Mustapha Ibrahim, expressed strong dissatisfaction during the hearing, stressing that the absence of the Discos’ chief executives undermined the purpose of the investigation.
According to him, the committee was constituted to address Nigeria’s persistent power challenges, which have continued to slow national development despite over a decade of power sector privatisation.
“There is no way we can move forward without hearing directly from the Managing Directors,” Ibrahim said. “We want them to tell Nigerians who they are, what they do, the investments they have made, and how they have utilised the various government interventions in the power sector.”
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He noted that while generation and transmission issues have been interrogated in previous sessions, distribution companies remain critical stakeholders whose performance directly affects electricity supply to consumers.
The chairman recalled submissions from the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which revealed that Nigeria has never generated up to 13,300 megawatts of electricity at any time, with peak generation hovering around 10,000 megawatts, despite transmission capacity of about 7,000 megawatts.
“The big question is why Nigerians are still in darkness,” Ibrahim said. “Discos must explain why communities and individuals are still forced to buy transformers and other infrastructure that should ordinarily be their responsibility.”
During the hearing, officials who appeared on behalf of the Discos could not provide convincing explanations for the absence of their Managing Directors, nor present letters formally notifying the committee of any delegation.
Members of the committee unanimously rejected the representation and insisted that only the Managing Directors could adequately address the issues raised.
Following deliberations, Hon. Mohammed Olaide (Oyo State) moved a motion for the meeting to be adjourned to 5th February, directing the Discos to reappear with their Managing Directors to defend their submissions and explain their investment records, infrastructure development, and utilisation of intervention funds.
“We want to hear from the horse’s mouth. Nigerians are suffering across the country, and this is not an issue we can continue to treat lightly.”
The motion was amended by Hon. Abubakar Jajere (Yobe State), who called for the invitation of core investors in the Discos, citing what he described as a pattern of disregard for the committee’s summons.
“We have already set a precedent that agencies invited must be represented by their chief executives,” Jajere said. “If the Discos continue to respond negatively, then we should invite their core investors. That way, accountability will be enforced.”
The chairman upheld the amended motion, warning that failure to comply with the committee’s directive would attract the full instrumentality of the House.
“If they continue to evade this investigation, it raises serious questions about their capacity, commitment, and ability to deliver effective power supply after 13 years of privatisation,” Ibrahim said.
The committee adjourned proceedings to 5th February, reaffirming its resolve to uncover the root causes of Nigeria’s electricity crisis and ensure accountability in the power sector.