The minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, has summoned the chief executive officers of two electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to a meeting to hold in the coming week over worsening supply situations in their regions.

Those invited to the meeting are the chief executive officers of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBDC).

Also summoned to the meeting is Sule Abdulazeez, managing director of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

The summons is contained in a letter signed by B.U. Mustapha, director, distribution services, ministry of power.

The management of other non-performing distribution companies would also be queried over non-performance as reports continue to filter in on the situation in their regions.

The two DisCos have been summoned due to the worsening power supply situation in their regions in spite of improved supply from TCN.

Bolaji Tunji, special adviser, strategic communication and media relations at the ministry, stated on Saturday in Abuja that, gas shortage notwithstanding, electricity generation had been ramped up to more than 4000 MW in recent days.

“The ministry expects power supply to have improved across the country, as opposed to the current experience in some regions.

“Findings revealed that some distribution companies were deliberately not taking up power supply from TCN, while some power lines were also damaged by vandals in Abuja, Benin, Port Harcourt and Ibadan regions,’’ he stated.

He quoted the minister as saying that wilful non-performance by any DisCo could suffice as a reason for severe punishment or outright licence revocation.

“The minister also directed TCN to immediately begin repair works on damaged transmission towers and power lines to improve power supply in affected regions,’’ Mr Tuniji stated.

He recalled that the minister embarked on supervisory visits to some of the power-generating plants in the last few months.

“He was at the Kainji Hydropower Plant, which will soon embark on an expansion plan to boost its existing 560 MW operational capacity.

“He also visited Benue and Taraba to assess the infrastructure being constructed to evacuate an additional 30 MW from the Kashimbilla Hydropower Station to the national grid,’’ he stated.

Only 10 MW is currently being evacuated from the Kashimbilla Hydropower Station to the national grid.

The minister was also at the Olorunshogo and Omotosho thermal plants in Ogun and Ondo states, respectively and at the Ihvobor and Azura power plants in Edo.

During the visits, he assured that the federal government planned to pay part of the outstanding debts owed by electricity generation companies (GenCos) and gas supply companies.

Mr Tunji also stated that with efforts being made, there should soon be succour for electricity consumers nationwide.

(NAN)