ENUGU, (Sundiata Post) – The Federal Government has has advocated extension of the whistle blowing policy to the power sector with a view to unveiling illegal users of energy in the country.
Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, spoke at his 16th Meeting with Operators of Power Sector held at Ugwuaji 330/132 KVA Transmission Sub- Station, Enugu on Tuesday.
He expressed dismay that some people were still stealing energy to the detriment of some, saying it was not a healthy development for the power industry.
The Former Governor of Lagos State said he was doubting the assumption that about six million households were currently making use of power in the country, saying he believed that more households were consuming energy.
He therefore reiterated his call on the good citizens of the country to report illegal users of power to enable the power sector move forward.
The Minister, however, warned against disconnection of pre-pard meters, saying he had been receiving complaints from those whose meters were disconnected.
While urging the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to continued to carry out the functions it was saddled with, he said history had shown that we have never failed any time we unite on a common purpose.
A communique issued at the end of meeting which was signed by by Frank Okofor, a commissioner in NERC and representatives of the different distribution companies, had appealed to the Enugu State House of Assembly to make allowances for privatization, which it said had only been in place for four years compared to decades of public management and encouraged positive engagement with the Enugu Disco to improve service deliver.
The communique further urged (Maximum Demand{i;e) Large Consumption} customers who are not metered to notify NERC to resolve payment disputes.
“NERC should take positive action with regards to disconnection of households with pre-paid meters as this action leads to low level public trust in the sector. Energy Theft is also limiting factor in quality service because a small population bears the large cost of energy consumption.
“ The public was encouraged to extend the whistle blowing policy of government to the power to ensure energy theft is brought under control, stakeholders are also encouraged to name and shame energy thieves a a deterrent” the communique stated.
