Electricity consumers in some parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have called on the federal government to review the privatisation of the power sector.
Consumers who spoke to journalists in Abuja on Sunday said privatisation of the sector was a good initiative, but added that it had not yielded the desired results.
They said a comprehensive audit and review of the sector would be part of efforts to address industry challenges.
Privatisation of the sector in November 2013 was an initiative of the federal government to transfer ownership and management of power assets to private entities.
The move was to improve efficiency, attract investments, and enhance electricity supply.
Eleven electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) and six Generation Companies (GenCos) were established following the privatisation of the sector. However, the sector’s transmission arm was retained by the federal government.
Tunde Omoregie, an engineer residing in Kuje, said that since the privatisation of the sector in 2013, nothing seemed to be working.
He said the power supply was constant when it was under the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).
Mr Omoregie said that after the sector was privatised, “it is now worse off, government should do something about the issue or scrap the process.’’
Irene Deji, also residing in Kuje, said that since the privatisation, nothing had improved, adding that the power situation in the country had deteriorated.
”The government should revisit the privatisation of the sector.
”If it is not working, something should be done to reverse it, as a lot of us are suffering. It is not easy to cope without constant electricity,” she said.
Angela Okorie, a nurse residing in Lugbe, said the ultimate aim of allowing market competition at the time of privatisation had not been achieved.
Mr Okorie said that despite the privatisation of the sector, the power situation had not improved.
”I am appealing to the federal government to review the privatisation of the power and find another way of ensuring stable electricity to Nigerians.
”We are really suffering because of the epileptic power supply being experienced in my area,” she said.
Amos Osuji, who also resides in Zone 6, Lugbe, said the sector was better off when it was handled by the federal government.
According to him, privatisation of the sector has not improved electricity; instead, people are just collecting money from consumers without providing the services required.
”The federal government should look into the issue of privatisation and find a way of amending the clauses in order to provide steady electricity to Nigerians,” he said.
Samuel Odey, residing in Gwagwalada, said the present arrangement in the sector was not working.
”Government should find a better way to make the sector work rather than allowing Nigerians to suffer due to poor power supply..
”I am appealing to the government to look into the privatisation of the sector and find a way to make sure it works better,” he said.
(NAN)