Power supply remains unstable in northwest

...As DISCOS, customers shift blame

Electricity supply in most states in the northwest has remained unstable, affecting businesses and economic activities, and leading to protests by consumers in some states.

Two companies are responsible for power distribution in the seven states in the zone, and both are blaming the Federal Government and customers for the low level of supply.

Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company holds the franchise for Kaduna, Zamfara, Kebbi and Sokoto states, while Kano Electricity Distribution Company is supplying power to Katsina, Jigawa and Kano states.

The low level supply of power had led to violent protests in Birnin Kebbi in August after the supply dropped significantly from about 22 hours daily to under six hours.

However, various respondents, in a survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), say there is a fundamental problem with power supply, distribution and payment of electricity bills in the zone.

In Kano, Mr brahim SaniShawai, Head of Corporate Communications, Kano Electricity Distribution Company said non-payment of bills by customers in its franchise areas of Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states had forced the company to set up a special task force to recover its money.

Sani-Shawai told NAN that the task force would be supported by judicial officials and the police, and would investigate and prosecute cases bordering on electricity theft.

“The task force will be saddled with the responsibility of prosecution of erring customers with regard to cases of energy theft, meter by-pass and other offences.

“The team has already arrived Kano and are making assessment after which, a tribunal will be inaugurated.

“It is our wish that customers will regularly pay their bills and not pile up debts that may become difficult to pay, which the tribunal frowns at.

“It is better to pay and avoid having issues to be treated by the tribunal, as this will compel the concerned customer to run around to pay all the debts at once which may be too burdening for them financially”.

On their part, electricity consumers in Kano have appealed to Federal Government to provide alternative power sources to bridge existing gaps and ensure effective and efficient power supply in the country.

Some of the customers said high level corruption has led to instability in the system, making consumers to lose hope in the electricity distribution companies.

A consumer at Wudilawa quarters in Kano municipality, Malam Maikano Abdulkareem, said the current power situation in the country had remained the same for years.

“The present administration had created high hope in us, yet, it remained a political campaign tool and the situation continues to deteriorate over the years, even after the sector was privatised.

Abdulkareem explained that even if the government retrieved the power holding companies, the problems might persist. (NAN)