Federal Government Threatens to Revoke Licences of Non-Performing Power Distribution Companies

The Nigerian government has issued a stern warning to power distribution companies (DisCos) across the country, threatening to revoke their operating licenses if they continue to fail in supplying electricity to consumers, leading to widespread blackouts.

The Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, conveyed this message amidst growing concerns over the dismal state of power supply in Nigeria.

Despite concerted efforts by the Federal Ministry of Power and electricity generating companies, the situation has not improved, with many towns and cities experiencing prolonged periods of darkness since the beginning of 2024.

Minister Adelabu, in a statement posted on his official handle, expressed dismay over the decline in power supply despite increased generation efforts.

He highlighted findings from the ministry, indicating that some DisCos were deliberately withholding electricity supplied to them by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

The minister emphasized that willful non-performance by DisCos would not be tolerated, and severe consequences, including the revocation of operating licenses, could be imposed.

He cited regions like Abuja, Benin, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan as areas facing exacerbated problems due to vandalism of power infrastructure.

The threat of license revocation comes after a recent report revealed that several DisCos failed to utilize significant amounts of allocated electricity, contributing to the ongoing power crisis.

Minister Adelabu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to addressing these challenges and urged consumers to remain patient as efforts to improve the situation continue.

Nigerians, however, await tangible changes in the power sector, hoping for an end to the prolonged blackouts that have hampered daily life and economic activities across the nation.