The House of Representatives has urged the Ministry of Power and the Transmission Company of Nigeria to find a lasting solution to the issue of power distribution and supply across the country.

The resolution was sequel to a unanimous adoption of an urgent motion of public importance by Rep. Unyime Idem (PDP-Akwa Ibom) at the plenary on Tuesday.

Moving the motion, Mr Idem expressed concern about the frequency and constant interruption of power supply nationwide in the past weeks.

He said interruption in power supply has been on the increase, thus disrupting businesses and lives of Nigerians who are equally burdened with several tariff increments.

The rep said the media report suggests that the federal government, through the Transmission Company of Nigeria and the Market Operator, has begun disconnecting electricity distribution companies (Discos) that are not complying with the operation codes and guidelines.

He said that the market operator, a division of TCN, has reportedly served some of the DisCos notices of disconnection from the national grid due to their inability and failure to comply with operation ethics.

“Unfortunately, the news is already generating unpalatable outbursts as over 20,000 members of the Aba Landlords Protection and Development Association (ALPDA) and other communities have threatened to mobilise and occupy streets if the TCN fails to rescind their decision.

“Note that an extension of the grace period of 60 days given the defaulters discos wherewith they are expected to comply with the provisions of the market rules with respect to payment of their outstanding invoices, posting of adequate bank guarantees, and forwarding of their active Power Purchase Agreements to the MO/TCN is almost over,” he said.

Mr Idem said that in the general interest of millions of Nigerians, the house should urge the erring DisCos to seize the dialogue opportunity to fix the crisis and ensure they comply with the market procedures.

He said the DisCos should provide a security deposit when required to serve as a guarantee of payment for all amounts due from their participants to the TCN and settle, promptly, any payment due.

Mr Idem said the TCN should penalise the erring DisCos for failure to remit payment by either freezing their bank accounts or reprimanding them rather than suffering the masses paying for their power supply.

The House Committee on Power was mandated to oversee the implementation of the resolutions of the house and report back within one week.

(NAN)