Managing Directors of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) have been summoned by the House of Representatives over their failure to appear at a public hearing
The House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee probing Nigeria’s power sector reforms and expenditure between 2007 and 2024 has summoned the Managing Directors of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC) over their failure to appear at a public hearing on Thursday.
Chairman of the committee, Rep. Al-Mustapha Ibrahim, expressed strong displeasure at the absence of the Discos’ chief executives, describing it as a setback to the committee’s mandate to unravel the root causes of Nigeria’s persistent electricity crisis.
According to Rep. Ibrahim, the investigation was set up to address the lingering challenges in the power sector, which have continued to hamper national development despite over a decade of privatisation.
“There is no way we can move forward without hearing directly from the Managing Directors,” he said. “We want them to tell Nigerians who they are, what they do, the investments they have made, and how they have utilised the various government interventions in the power sector.”
He noted that while issues surrounding power generation and transmission had been examined in earlier sessions, distribution companies remain critical stakeholders whose performance directly impacts electricity supply to consumers.
The chairman recalled submissions made by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which revealed that Nigeria has never generated up to 13,300 megawatts of electricity at any point, with peak generation hovering around 10,000 megawatts, despite a transmission capacity of about 7,000 megawatts.
“The big question is why Nigerians are still in darkness,” Rep. Ibrahim said. “Discos must explain why communities and individuals are still compelled to buy transformers and other infrastructure that should ordinarily be their responsibility.”
During the hearing, officials who appeared on behalf of the two Discos failed to provide satisfactory explanations for the absence of their Managing Directors and could not present formal letters notifying the committee of any delegation.
Members of the committee unanimously rejected the representation, insisting that only the Managing Directors could adequately respond to the issues raised.
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Following deliberations, Rep. Mohammed Olaide moved a motion to adjourn the hearing to February 5, directing the DisCos to reappear with their Managing Directors to defend their submissions and explain their investment profiles, infrastructure development, and utilisation of intervention funds.
“We want to hear from the horse’s mouth,” Rep. Olaide said. “Nigerians are suffering across the country, and this is not an issue we can continue to treat lightly.”
The motion was amended by Rep. Abubakar Jajere, who called for the invitation of the DisCos’ core investors, citing what he described as a recurring disregard for the committee’s summons.
“We have already set a precedent that agencies invited must be represented by their chief executives,” Rep. Jajere said. “If the Discos continue to respond negatively, then we should invite their core investors. That way, accountability will be enforced.”
Upholding the amended motion, Rep. Ibrahim warned that continued non-compliance would attract the full instrumentality of the House of Representatives.
“If they continue to evade this investigation, it raises serious questions about their capacity, commitment, and ability to deliver effective power supply after 13 years of privatisation,” he said.
The committee subsequently adjourned proceedings to February 5, reaffirming its resolve to uncover the underlying causes of Nigeria’s electricity crisis and enforce accountability in the power sector.
