Epileptic power: DISCOs have failed Nigerians – SSEAC

Power distribution companies have failed Nigerians and showed no appreciable impact on the power sector since its privatisation three years ago, President-General of Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSEAC), Engineer Chris Okonkwo, has said.

He also accused the distribution companies of defaulting in collection and payment to service providers in the sector contrary to the agreement they reached when they took over the assets from government.

But Okonkwo, who spoke in Lagos at the weekend during his swearing-in as the president of the association, regretted that the government has not deemed it fit to call the companies to order with a view to ensuring compliance with due process.

He said the fact that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) gave the distribution companies over N200billion intervention fund while the former still cry wolves over electricity tariff and price of gas speak volume of the insincerity on the part of the companies.

He also said most of the new owners of the distribution companies lack technical expertise, experience and financial wherewithal to effectively and efficiently run the nation’s power sector.

According to him, the actions of the distribution are calculated to fleece customers of their funds amidst epileptic power service and failure to honour its version of agreement to other service providers in the country.

He also took a swipe at some of the companies for refusing their workers to unionise, adding that the development is counter-productive to the growth of the sector.

He also said it was wrong to blame the workers for sabotaging efficient power distribution, adding that it’s the companies that should be held responsible for sabotaging workers through unfair labour practices.

According to him, it is misnomer to liken picketing of some distribution companies to an act of sabotage since the action is recognise in labour as an act to get companies to accede to the request of workers.

He said his administration would not rest on its oars to ensure that the power sector is best run in line with global standard as well guarantee the welfare of workers therein.

Former president of the union, Comrade Bede Opara, expressed satisfaction over the transition in SSEAC.