Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola has said that the government will not pay for debts owed to DISCOs that have not been verified.
The Minister made this known at the 14th Monthly Power Sector Operators meeting held in Osogbo, Osun State at National Control Centre. The event was hosted by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).
The Minister said, the government is working hard to ensure that the debts are paid only when they are verified accordingly.
He also said that, ”On the issue of debt, government is verifying DISCOs’ debt. We will not pay any debt that has not been verified. There are some DISCOs that have not submitted their report in order to be verified but I want to assure you that we are verifying those that have done so”
Since February, government has been working in stepping up to its responsibilities adding that the recent statements by some DISCOs recently will not deter government from its duties saying that the governmnt does not have contracts with association.
He said, ” Recently, some DISCOs association have been saying that the N701 billion recently released is not enough for the industry. We did not sign contracts with any association but the 11 DISCOs.
“We have paid N374,551 million debt owed by the Federal Secretariat to Abuja Disco and We will make sure we track every loss and make sure those losses are accounted for,” he added.
Speaking further, he urged electricity customers to stop acts that are capable of compromising the sector adding that goverment will ensure full implementation of the law for any erring customers.
”Customers must understand that Energy theft is a serious offence.
Stop assaulting DISCOs staff, he added”
“Those who damage power assets are economic saboteurs.If you perpetrate this act and have doubts, go and seek profesional advice because we will ensure the full enforcement of the regulation.
“There was a transformer problem in Abuja and it was me the customers were calling.
You must be ready to serve.
“If you are not ready to serve because you are in doubt,go and seek professional advice over your obligations, ” he added.