28 January 2014, Benin City – Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has said Nigerians expect the new electricity distribution companies to deliver 24-hour electricity to their homes and nothing short of this will be acceptable to them.
The governor, who spoke yesterday when he granted audience to the management team of the Benin Electricity Distribution Company (DISCOs) led by its Chairman, Mr. Victor Osibodu, said whereas Nigerians were afraid to tackle the PHCN, they would not be afraid to demand full service for tariff from the new DISCOs.
According to the governor, ‘’I am excited that the federal government has muscled the power to do what it has to do considering the fact the Nigeria government simply have the capacity and even the discipline at all levels to manage power supply.
“After many years of lamentations and failed promises doing costly interventions that border on change of name from E.C.N to NEPA and PHCN as if the power lies in the name.
He said: “If we have 40 per cent of power supply and the economy is growing at 60 per cent, it is easy to extrapolate that at 100 per cent the economy would do twice what is currently doing. If every Nigeria gets the power we deserve, if every rural person has power supply, every urban and corporate bodies have access to power supply, the more jobs would be created.’’
“In the past, Nigerians were not able to do anything about PHCN because it had federal might backing it, but I’m not sure they will treat the new DISCOs with the same kid gloves. Nigerians expect 24-hour power supply and not four hours or six hours. It cannot be our lot or our luck, as you say, for us to have just six hours power in a day.”
Oshiomhole who lamented the incessant power failure in the country, said it had led to the closure of many industries relocating to other African countries.
According to him, ‘’We are fast working for an incompetent power supply system. This is why I am a believer that what the government cannot do, it should hand over to those who can do it.’
‘’Let us see what will come out of the sections that have been privatised and we hope the success will make the government to allow those who have the competence and discipline to help out in providing power.’’
While calling on the management to reconsider the sacked union leaders into its work force, the governor urged the company to make fresh initiative that would rejuvenate the power sector.
Earlier, while addressing the Governor, the Chairman, Benin DISCOs, Mr. Victor Osibodu, had commended the state governor for its prompt payment of electricity bills, stressing that the state ranked best among other states of the federation.
He said, Edo State with 49 service centres was lucky to enjoy 12 hours power supply which according to him is the highest in the country.
Osibodu requested the state government’s support for Benin DISCOs in the settlement of electricity bills by government parastatals and agency.
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