PURPORTED EXTENSION/RENEWAL OF THE OPERATIONAL LICENCE OF VIGEO HOLDINGS LIMITED, THE OPERATORS OF THE BENIN ELECTRICITY DISTRIBUTION COMPANY (BEDC) BY THE BUREAU OF PUBLIC ENTERPRISE (BPE) AND THE NIGERIAN ELECTRICITY REGULATORY COMMISSION (NERC).
The Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry has become a major concern that has shaped our socio-political and economic growth howbeit negatively and retrogressively since independence. This is so, because we have had political leaders and military juntas who are not altruistic, patriotic, nationalistic and passionate about the development of our country rather the satisfaction of self.
In November, 2013, the immediate past administration of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan privatized the power sector with the somewhat hope of resolving the problems faced with the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). A move that was resisted by many critical stakeholders who saw the process enmeshed with high level of subterfuge.
The Generation and Distribution segment of the electricity value chain were privatized with the Federal Government still retaining 40% shares though, leaving the Transmission segment absolutely under the management of the Federal Government.
The Federal Government through the Bureau of Public Enterprise entered a five year Performance Agreement with the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) in November, 2013 which is to elapse in October, 2018. The Performance Agreement came with provisos to ascertain their commitment, capacity and capability to deliver for the improvement of the power sector which is expected to lead us to the attainment of economic growth as a nation.
Since takeover, the BEDC have not demonstrated any discernable improvement or added values to what they met on the ground. Nigerians have been groaning under heavy estimated and crazy bills, deliberate non supply of meters, molestation of customers with military personnel, refusal to connect communities to national grid, non provision of transformers, poles and other ancillaries, creation of ‘SPECIAL ELECTRICITY LINES’ for certain institutions and individuals while the majority are served total darkness among other inefficiencies numerous to outline.
While Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti people were waiting for the end of the terror the activities of the BEDC have dealt on them for over four years running, it was shocking to read in the Newspapers and broadcasts of the purported plan by the Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to extend the Performance Agreement with additional one year which hopefully will elapse in December, 2019.
This is disappointing and insensitive to say the least of a government in the face of several protests, complaints and petitions from citizens, civil society groups, communities and youth groups from the four states of BEDC franchise area.
The excuse by the BPE of the one year extension given due to the time of the tariff methodology by the DISCOs is not tenable and it is unacceptable due to the fact that, the time it took the DISCOs to design the tariff methodology, same DISCOs were using a tariff template in the collection of electricity bills from customers. It is our humble submission that the five years probation period is sufficient for the review of the Performances of the DISCOs to determine renewal of operational licences or otherwise.
It is clear to all and sundry that the operators of the BEDC have failed in all fronts since takeover, a review of reports and surveys from the four state houses of assembly, civil society groups, extracts from town hall meetings, petitions, protests by communities have revealed that the BEDC have not delivered in accordance with the Performance Agreement entered in November, 2013 hence do not deserve an extension or renewal of operational licence. The people are overfed up with the unfair business operations of the management of the BEDC and can no longer take it anymore.
The Bureau of Public Procurement and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission must more than every other time listen to the voice of the people now. The people have rejected the current managers of the BEDC and demand for a change of baton that will bring the desired efficiency and improvement in the distribution of electricity in Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states respectively.
Today, we are in collaboration with other interest groups and critical stakeholders across the four states of BEDC operations, we are reaffirming our stand that the operators of the BEDC do not deserve an extension or renewal of operational licence for a day later than the 31st of October, 2018.
The Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing, BPE and NERC should not display the posture that suggests that they have been compromised by the DISCOs as Nigerians in Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti states are seriously expectant of the non extension and renewal of the licence of Vigeo Holdings Limited.
This is the voice of the people!
Signed:
Leftist Omobude Agho
EDO CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANISATIONS
Comrade Terry Eworitsemogha Ajagbawa
DELTA STATE COALITION OF CIVIL SOCIETY GROUPS
Comrade Omopariola Dare
ONDO STATE ELECTRICITY CUSTOMERS
Comrade Akinsuroju Olubanjo Henry
BRING BACK OUR LIGHT (Ondo State)
Ibukun Ogundipe
EKITI STATE RESIDENTS’ASSOCIATION
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