As a new year (2015)
sets in, most Nigerians wish to know what the power firms particularly the Generating Companies (GENCOS) and Distribution Companies (DISCOS) have for them. With the low efficiency that sparked off and sustained crises in 2014 rule the day, or will the private dominated sector show some improvements in 2015?
As our correspondent samples the feelings of consumers, government officials and authorities of some power firms, divergent views were expressed in hope of a promising future ahead.
Authorities of Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) last week rekindled the hope of its customers in Port Harcourt when it promised them better power supply to power the socio-economic activities of the residents and companies which constitute the firms major customer.
However, Chief Nicholas Njoku, a Port Harcourt-based businessman said, “such promises have always been made but they have not been able to change the situation.
Njoku, who condemned the poor supply of PHEDC last year expressed strong need for the firm to live up to the expectations of the people.
“What can Nigeria in its totality be without good power supply? It is high time we got the point clear that our dream of industrialisation would remain a mirage until adequate power supply is given to the people,” said Njoku.
“Yes, PHEDC has made a good promise, but the company should not forget that such a promise has raised people’s expectations and I advise that PHEDC should match its promise with action,” he stated.
A senior staff in the office of Diobu Business Manager of PHEDC who pleaded anonymity said the company is ready to improve on power supply particularly of the volume of gas supplied to the company improves.
“You should understand that the new power firms that took over the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) were relatively new,” he said appealing that the companies which were more or less studying the industry needed some patience, understanding and high level of co-operation from the public.”
“As the days roll by, there is the natural likelihood that improvement would come and when our customers are happy, the power firms would also feel fulfilled,” he stressed.
But the issue of non-availability of metres was raised by Chidinma Okoroafor, a trader at Mile 1 Market in Port Harcourt.
“My concern is that when I sell my goods to customers, they pay me according to the value of the goods in monetary terms. PHEDC does not apply that principle in their business operations,” she said.
Okoroafor is worried that, “PHEDC chooses the amount of power they supply and also forces you to pay any amount it wishes. What kind of business is that,” she queried and noted that until an acceptable mode of payment which must correspondent with services rendered, is applied the promise of better supply is not enough.
She insisted that electricity meter, which is the universal measurement for power supply must determine supply, condemning the outright fixing of pay by the company.
“What annoys me most is that the government appears unconcerned about the cries of the masses and I begin to wonder who protects the people.”
An official of the Rivers State Ministry of Power who identified himself simply as George expressed strong hope that 2015 would come with better supply.
George said, “if you check round in Rivers State, you will observe that more communities especially in the rural areas now have light. I can tell you that more would have power supply because a good number have their rural electrification projects at various completion stages.”
Also expressing hope of better days ahead, a former staff of PHCN, Ihekoronye Obodo, noted that as PHCN operations transited to the new investors, consumers are yet to change their attitude. “They still think that power supply is in the hands of government but that is wrong because private investors are out to make profit to remain in business.”
Obodo solicited for patience and co-operation and expressed hope that with time, the private firms that are daily upgrading their facilities are prepared to improve supply to their customers.
“They must stop the attitude of power stealing because it is criminal, and let government establish special court to handle the issue of power theft, vandalism of power facilities and irregular payment for services used,” he stressed.
“As far as I am concerned, I have told PHEDC to disconnect me because I am no more interested in its power supply or whatever you call of PHEDC is an embarrassment to me because PHCN which was equally poor in service supply is even better than PHEDC,” said another consumer, Cletus Alaye.
Alaye, who said he returned from Canada two years ago would not see any need for PHEDC’s promises, stressing, what have I to do with promises. May be, the firm will ask people to pay for the promise it made. Let them prove to the people that they know how to do their job and until I see light regularly, I will continue to use my private generator.”
He, however, advised the Federal Government not to rely on the DISCOs and GENCOs but to diversify.
“Nigeria as a growing economy should look at the alternative means of supply to the masses. Solar energy, coal and other areas should be given proper attention,” he said and suggested that since so many rivers are in the country, experts should concert these potentials to provide energy.”
The Minister of Power, Prof Chinedu Nebo, last week disclosed Federal Government’s intention of providing over one million prepaid meters to reduce metering gap nationwide.
The minister, who stated this during a town-hall meeting with stakeholders in Abuja said the intervention was to help electricity distribution companies in which government has 40 per cent equity to reduce the metering gap.
He said the only way to reduce over billing was to provide meters to all consumers in the country.”
“Government still owns 40 per cent of the DISCOs. This is why it is still giving out its own counterpart funding,” Nebo stressed.
On pipeline vandalism, he said plans were underway by the government to digitise the pipelines to forestall vandalism and emphasised the need for a legislation to provide stiffer penalties to punish pipeline vandals.
Several efforts have also been made by the government to upgrade and build new power stations. It is believed that if the incidence of theft for which Nigeria is noted as the highest amongst countries of the world, is checked, meters provided to check the over-billing of power distribution firms to their customers and more dedication to responsible service provision as well as increased improvement on facilities are maintained, 2015 may reduce the so much darkness and provide light for socio-economic advancement of the nation.

Chris Oluoh

Some Transformers Donated by the lawmaker representing Oyigbo in the RSHA Hon. Okechukwu .A. Nwaogu