Ayomide Awe
Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) have apologised to Nigerians over persistent power outages that have plunged homes and businesses into weeks of darkness, amid growing public anger over the worsening electricity crisis.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), Sunday Oduntan, tendered the apology on Monday, acknowledging the hardship Nigerians had endured as a result of the prolonged disruptions in electricity supply.
Oduntan, who spoke during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily, admitted that consumers had been subjected to considerable difficulties in recent weeks and said an apology was necessary.
“I’d like to first of all start by apologising to Nigerians. Apology is needed; it is essential because Nigerians have been taken through this problem over the past few weeks,” he said.
The apology comes amid mounting complaints from households, business owners and electricity consumers over worsening power supply, with many questioning why they continue to experience prolonged blackouts despite paying electricity bills and, in some cases, higher tariffs.
Oduntan, however, blamed the recurring crisis partly on what he described as a dangerous return to the blame game among operators in the electricity sector.
He recalled that between 2016 and 2019, electricity distribution companies, transmission operators, generation companies and gas suppliers routinely traded accusations over poor electricity supply rather than collectively addressing the industry’s challenges.
According to him, the sector appears to be returning to the same pattern, a development he said must be urgently checked to prevent further deterioration.
“Our major problem is that we have started that very wrong route that we went through between 2016 and 2019. What is that? Blame game,” he said.
He explained that DisCos previously blamed the Transmission Company of Nigeria, while transmission operators shifted responsibility to generation companies, which, in turn, blamed gas suppliers and payment-related challenges.
Oduntan warned that the continued exchange of accusations would not provide relief to consumers who remain at the receiving end of the electricity crisis.
The ANED boss also questioned conflicting explanations offered by key players in the electricity value chain over the causes of the current shortages.
He specifically expressed reservations about statements from the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) regarding the factors responsible for the decline in electricity generation.
While NISO reportedly identified low water levels and inadequate gas supply among the factors affecting electricity generation, the NNPC subsequently issued a statement indicating that gas was available.
Oduntan, however, challenged the explanation, insisting that the national oil company should provide a clearer account of whether outstanding payments or other financial disputes were affecting gas deliveries to power generation companies.
He accused the NNPC of providing incomplete information and demanded transparency over the relationship between gas suppliers and electricity generation companies.
“From the NNPC statement, it is very clear that they came to tell us half-truths. What I would have expected NNPC to do is to go ahead and talk to us whether there are payment issues. We need to know whether gas was paid for and delivered, who did, who didn’t,” he stated.
He urged the Minister of Power to assume leadership of the situation by convening all relevant stakeholders to establish the actual causes of the persistent electricity shortages and resolve the disagreements.
“This back and forth blame game between gas suppliers, NNPC and, of course, TCN or NISO, I think the Minister of Power needs to take charge. There is a need for this leadership because, at the end of the day, they need to call them together,” he added.
The worsening electricity situation has also raised fresh questions about the effectiveness of the Band A, B and C tariff classification introduced to link electricity charges to the number of supply hours customers are expected to receive.
Under the arrangement, Band A customers are entitled to a minimum of 20 hours of electricity daily, yet consumers within the category have continued to complain about inadequate supply.
The development has heightened frustration among customers who argue that the promised service levels are increasingly difficult to reconcile with the reality of prolonged outages.
The crisis has been particularly difficult for residents and businesses amid intense heat, forcing many households to endure uncomfortable conditions without reliable electricity to power fans, refrigerators and air conditioners.
The situation has also attracted public criticism, with prominent Nigerians expressing frustration over the country’s inability to guarantee stable electricity supply.
Veteran actress Kate Henshaw recently questioned why Nigerians continued to struggle with reliable power, lamenting that households had effectively become mini-factories because of the need to generate their own electricity.
Content creator Cute Abiola also appealed to President Bola Tinubu in a video, highlighting the unbearable heat and the difficulties Nigerians face in securing alternative power sources.
Meanwhile, the increasing cost of petrol and diesel has made generator-powered electricity increasingly expensive for households and small businesses.
Although solar energy offers an alternative, the high cost of purchasing and installing solar panels, batteries and inverters has placed the option beyond the reach of many Nigerians.
The latest power crisis has also revived scrutiny of President Bola Tinubu’s campaign promises on electricity supply, particularly his pledge to ensure reliable power and end estimated billing.
During his 2023 presidential campaign, Tinubu assured members of the Organised Private Sector in Lagos that Nigerians would have access to electricity and would no longer be subjected to estimated electricity bills.
He had challenged Nigerians to hold him accountable if he failed to fulfil the promise, declaring that they should deny him a second-term mandate if he could not provide adequate electricity.
“Whichever way, by all means necessary, you will have electricity, and you will not pay for estimated bills anymore. A promise made will be a promise kept,” Tinubu had said.
'
'Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
'