House Committee Summons Discos’ MDs In Power Sector Investigation

The House of Representatives ad hoc committee investigating power sector reforms and spending between 2007 and 2024 has summoned the Managing Directors of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and the Jos Electricity Distribution Company over their failure to appear at a public hearing.

The Chairman of the Committee, Al-Mustapha Ibrahim, expressed dissatisfaction during the session, saying the absence of the distribution companies’ chief executives undermined the purpose of the investigation.

Ibrahim said the panel was set up to address Nigeria’s persistent electricity challenges, which have continued despite more than a decade of power sector privatisation.

“There is no way we can move forward without hearing directly from the managing directors,” he said. “We want them to explain who they are, what they do, the investments they have made and how government intervention funds have been utilised.”

He said while previous hearings examined generation and transmission issues, distribution companies remain critical because their performance directly affects electricity supply to consumers.

Ibrahim cited submissions by the Transmission Company of Nigeria indicating that the country has never generated up to 13,300 megawatts of electricity, with peak generation around 10,000 megawatts, despite transmission capacity of about 7,000 megawatts.

“The key question is why Nigerians are still in darkness,” he said, adding that distribution companies must explain why communities are often forced to purchase transformers and other infrastructure.

Officials who appeared on behalf of the companies were unable to provide formal explanations for the absence of their Managing Directors or present letters notifying the committee of any delegation.

Lawmakers rejected the representation and insisted that only the chief executives could adequately respond.

Following deliberations, the committee adjourned the hearing to Feb. 5 and directed the companies to reappear with their Managing Directors to defend their submissions and explain their investment records and use of intervention funds.

Lawmakers also approved an amended motion calling for the invitation of the companies’ core investors if the managing directors fail to appear.

Ibrahim warned that continued noncompliance would attract sanctions from the House.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji