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.”

Comments

Ogun State Governor to conduct groundbreaking for reconstruction of Lagos Toll-Gate-Sango-Abeokuta expressway on Friday Aug 23

..as Craneburg continues interim repairs on Ilepa , Bosun , Pakoto, Ifo, Ewekoro, Itori, and Obada area Oredola Adeola Relief is in sight for motorists on the Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Expressway, as Craneburg, the contracting firm, has commenced the much-anticipated reconstruction of the heavily trafficked route. The official groundbreaking ceremony for the project is scheduled for Friday, August 23, and will be led by Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun. The Contractor , Craneburg Construction Company Ltd, began mobilizing its equipment to the site about 10 days ago, initiating palliative measures on one side of the road to ensure it remains passable while full-scale reconstruction commences on the opposite side. The interim repairs, which have already been carried out, span the Sango-Ota, Ilepa , Bosun , Pakoto, Ifo, Ewekoro, Itori, and Obada areas, with stone bases laid on the most deteriorated sections to ease the burden of travel during the construction period. The expressway

Rosatom's TVEL, AllWeld Nuclear, industrial agree to cooperate nuclear backend area

Allen Atwiine, Uganda The TVEL JSC, Managing Company of Rosatom's Fuel Division, and AllWeld Nuclear and Industrial, a South African firm, have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation which is focused on decommissioning and radioactive waste (RW) management at nuclear facilities in South Africa. The memorandum was signed by the party during the African Energy Week (AEW) 2024 in Cape Town on Tuesday. The Editorials gathered that the Memoradium outlined a framework for cooperation and the implementation of joint initiatives. Our correspondent gathered that the document was signed by Eduard Nikitin, Director for Decommissioning and RW Management at TVEL JSC, and Mervyn Fischer, CEO of AllWeld Nuclear and Industrial. Nikitin explained that the memorandum outlined plans for collaborative efforts in scientific, technical, and commercial activities related to the decommissioning of nuclear power plants and other facilities that pose nuclear and radiation hazards. He said, "The key aspe

Lagos Assembly mulls Ambode's impeachment

Members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have commenced an impeach move against Governor Akinwunmi Ambode , alleging him of gross misconduct. Speaker LHA Rt.Hon. Obasa and Governor Ambode The lawmakers who discussed the issue at the plenary session on Monday, however gave the state Governor a one-week ultimatum to appear before them to defend allegations of misconduct and infractions levelled against him. Advertisement They vowed to proceed with the impeachment process at the expiration of the ultimatum.

The Editorials

Search This Blog