The president of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has denounced the scarce electricity supply in the country.
He said that the current electric power sector is not working optimally. Therefore, he tasked the government to do something about the situation to meet the expectations of Nigerians.
Mr. Gbajabimaila spoke on Wednesday in Abuja during the public hearing to amend the Power Reform Act to establish the Nigerian Institution of Power Engineers (NIPEN), organized by the House Energy Committee.
“Most people recognize that a situation where we cannot expect twenty-four hour electricity in our cities and many rural areas remain completely disconnected from the benefits of access to electricity is unacceptable,” the president said.
He also regretted the inability of the electricity sector reform action to promote public-private collaboration in the sector.
DISCO privatization
The dissociated electricity distribution companies were privatized in 2013. However, the privatization process has been marred by allegations of corruption.
Despite the privatization of the DISCOs, power remains epileptic, with various government interventions. Most of the investors who acquired the DISCOs have been accused of not having the necessary competence and the necessary liquidity.
In a special report, PREMIUM TIMES had exposed how DISCOs left consumers with the burden of purchasing meters and transformers.
Last week, President Muhammadu Buhari reportedly approved the removal of the leadership of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC). The government’s move generated controversy, as the presidency had to issue a clarification on the fly.
NIPEN Institute
At the hearing, NIPEN President Israel Abraham said that the sector needs competent professionals to push it forward. He added that the institute will offer such a platform.
“Energy engineering professionals or their professionals must be well versed in the latest technology skills and developments that will culminate in their ability to produce products and exhibit process proficiency in the industry practice of their choice,” he said.
He noted that the bill “will remove the impediments caused by bureaucracy in the governance of the energy sector in Nigeria and provide strict independent engineering regulation and monitoring of professionals and practice to achieve sustainable development in the sector.”
In his remarks, Committee Chairman Magaji Aliu said the public hearing was deemed necessary “to allow the committee to use the outcome of the exercise to address loopholes in existing laws to strengthen Nigeria’s energy sector for a provision of efficient services “. . “