Electricity consumers want DisCos scrapped

 By Constance Athekame

Many electricity consumers in some parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have called on the Federal Government to scrap the Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) due to their non-performance.

The consumers made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday.

They urged the government to look into activities of the DisCos by either scrapping them, adding that this would form part of efforts to address the challenges in the industry.

Mr Kinsley Edobor, a civil servant residing in Lugbe said that some DisCos were performing below expectation, adding that it would be better if they were scrapped.

Edobor said that consumers were asked to repair transformers when it goes bad even after paying electricity bills.

”What is the duty of the DisCos, if we are to pay to repair transformers when we are paying our bills.

”My appeal to government is that these DisCos should be scrapped and alternative put in place to provide steady electricity for Nigerians,” he said.

Mrs Ngozi Obi, a business woman also residing in Lugbe, said that most DisCos were not providing infrastructure to improve power supply.

According to her, if there is a problem in an area, consumers are asked to contribute to fix it.

”We are not happy with the way most of these DisCos are operating, how can consumers be the ones to pay for everything even when they pay their bills.

”Government should scrap these DisCos or call them to order to do the right thing,”she said.

Mr Solomon Umokoro, a welder residing in Kuje said that most of the DisCos were performing below expectation and so should either be scrapped or made to do the right thing..

Umokoro said that most of the consumers pay bills in spite not enjoying the services rendered by the DisCos.

He said that government should do away with the DisCos and handle the issue of electricity itself.

”We are tired of most of these DisCOS, we pay bills and they are not providing us the services required.

”My appeal is that government should do away with these DisCos and look for a way to provide electricity for its citizens,” he said.

Mrs Moji Adesola, also residing in Kuje said that for electricity to be stable in the country, government must do away with the distribution companies.

According to her, if the DisCos are removed, power supply will improve and consumers will enjoy the value of their money.

”My appeal is that DisCos should be scrapped to enable Nigerians enjoy steady electricity,” she said.

Mr Thomas Oche, residing in Area 1, said that Electricity Distribution Companies were not performing as expected so government should do away with them.

According to Oche, most of the DisCos overbill consumers but they are not giving the services expected of them.

”It is better we do away with them and find other ways of providing stable power supply to consumers, ”he said.

NAN reports that 11 distribution companies were established after privatising the sector.
The DisCos are responsible for network maintenance and safety, repairing, and upgrading distribution infrastructure (lines, transformers, substations to ensure safe and reliable power delivery among other duties assigned to them. (NAN)