Estimated bills: Reps propose 6 months jail term for power firms over failure to provide prepaid meters

Members of the House of Representatives have further pushed for the passage of law to criminalise estimated billings by the electricity distribution companies ( Discos) in the country, noting that the bill when passed would subject officials of the power firms to a jail term of six months.

Speaking on Wednesday at a public hearing held at the National Assembly on the “need to curb excessive electricity charges being levied on the consumers by Discos.”, the lawmakers alleged that the Discos were being operated by fraudsters and persons with the mindset to rip off Nigerians.

The Wednesday session was chaired by an All Progressives Congress member from Osun State, Mr Ajibola Famurewa, where the lawmakers disclosed that the Discos are criminally enjoying estimated and excessive billing to the detriment of Nigerians.

Hon . Muazu Lawal, representing Bunmi, Bukkuyum, Federal Constituency, Zamfara state said, “It appears that the Discos and other stakeholders are not ready for the job before them. You just go about billing people the way you like without considering the actual power they consume. This happens everywhere in the country and even here in Abuja.

“From what is happening, I think the Discos are either operated by fraudsters or they are just extorting money from Nigerians. If you are not ready for the job, tell us you are not ready. Go to the government and say you are not ready.”

Hon. Oluyonu Tope, representing Offa/Oyun/Ifelodun, Federal Constituency, Kwara State, in his submission said, “If Nigerians are to cast their votes on the performance of NERC, it will be that the agency is a complete failure.

“The failure of Nigeria’s economy today is lack of power. NERC is one of the major stakeholders leading Nigeria to failure. NERC, you are a failure.”

Three other lawmakers, Mr Nnanna Igbokwe, Mr Solomon Maren and Mrs Joan Mrakpor, spoke in the same manner.

The Chairman, NERC, Prof James Momoh, while defending itself revealed that the agency had never abdicated its duties, citing instances when the Discos were fined N134.1m for violation of electricity regulations.

He said, “All the reports related to the fines are published annually. NERC is taking measures to improve on the services by the Discos.”

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