02 November 2013, Abuja – Nigerians have reacted to the handover of 16 successor companies to Power Holding Company of Nigeria.
The Vice-President, Alhaji Namadi Sambo, on Friday handed over 11 power distribution and five generation companies, created out of PHCN, to their private owners on behalf of the Federal Government.
While some consumers have expressed the hope of getting improved energy supplies, others advised former PHCN staff to manage their resources well.
In Gombe, Mr Musa Ayiga, the Zonal Coordinator, North-East and Central Executive Council member of PHCN, advised disengaged workers of the company to use their severance allowance judiciously
Ayiga told the workers to invest part of the money well and not to indulge in unnecessary spending to ensure a better future.
He advised those who would be engaged by the new companies to work hard, be dedicated to their duties and to realise that it would not be business as usual.
“Do not worry for losing the PHCN job, just take it as an act of God and bear with the situation, nothing will happen to you but you should know how to play your game,” he said
In Osogbo, some electricity consumers expressed the hope that the transfer of ownership of the companies would improve electricity supply to them.
Mr Tunde Oladeji, a teacher told the News Agency of Nigeria that he hoped that “electricity supply will improve’’.
Oladeji said that he initially doubted the successful conclusion of the privatisation of the energy sector based on past experience.
“But the realisation that privatising PHCN may result in customers paying for the exact power consumed is inspiring,” he said.
Mr Bisi Johnny of Idi-Seke, Osogbo, told NAN that he was looking forward to a new power sector that would be truly responsible to the people.
Johnny said that it was important for the new owners of the companies to fashion out ways of improving on power generation.
Mrs Folabomi Ibiwoye, a housewife, advised the new investors to endeavour to win the confidence of the people through stable power supply and accurate billing.
“A situation whereby we pay for what we did not consume is very bad,” Ibiwoye said.
She also advised the new owners not to increase the suffering of Nigerians through ‘’suffocating tariffs.”
*NAN
