Electricity distribution companies (DisCos) have apologised to Nigerians over persistent power outages, acknowledging the hardship caused by weeks of inadequate electricity supply across the country.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), Sunday Oduntan, tendered the apology on Monday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily.
Oduntan said Nigerians had endured prolonged electricity shortages in recent weeks, stressing that an apology was necessary given the difficulties households and businesses had faced.
“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.
DisCos Warn Against Blame Game
The ANED chief also expressed concern over renewed disagreements among stakeholders in the electricity sector, warning that shifting responsibilities could make the power crisis more difficult to resolve.
He recalled that similar accusations among electricity distribution companies, the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), generation companies (GenCos) and gas suppliers contributed to disagreements between 2016 and 2019.
According to him, the sector must avoid returning to that pattern and focus on identifying the actual causes of the electricity shortages.
“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.
Oduntan explained that DisCos previously blamed TCN, which in turn blamed GenCos, while generation companies pointed fingers at gas suppliers and payment challenges.
He urged all stakeholders to work together rather than engage in public disagreements.
Oduntan Questions NNPC’s Explanation
The ANED chief also questioned explanations provided by the Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) over the decline in electricity generation.
NISO had attributed the supply challenges partly to inadequate gas supply to thermal power plants and reduced water levels affecting hydroelectric generation.
However, Oduntan said the NNPC subsequently issued a statement indicating that gas was available, raising questions about whether outstanding payments were affecting deliveries to power plants.
He challenged the national oil company to clarify whether gas supplied to generation companies had been paid for and delivered.
“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 said.
He called on the Minister of Power to bring the relevant stakeholders together to establish the facts and address the disagreements.
Nigerians Struggle With Prolonged Blackouts
The apology comes amid growing frustration over unreliable electricity supply, with households and businesses facing increased operating costs.
Even customers under Band A, who are entitled to a minimum of 20 hours of electricity daily under the service-based tariff arrangement, have continued to report inadequate supply.
The outages have also intensified the difficulties caused by high temperatures, leaving many households struggling without reliable electricity to operate fans and air conditioners.
For Nigerians relying on generators, rising petrol and diesel prices have increased the cost of alternative power. Meanwhile, the high cost of solar panels, batteries and inverters remains a major obstacle for many households and small businesses.
The crisis has also attracted criticism from public figures, including veteran actress Kate Henshaw and content creator Cute Abiola, who have expressed frustration over the country’s electricity situation.
Tinubu’s Electricity Promise Under Scrutiny
The worsening power situation has renewed attention to President Bola Tinubu’s 2023 campaign promise to improve electricity supply and end estimated billing.
While addressing members of the Organised Private Sector in Lagos during his campaign, Tinubu pledged to ensure Nigerians enjoyed reliable 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. If I don’t keep the promise and I come for a second term, don’t vote for me, unless I give you adequate reasons why I couldn’t deliver,” he said.
However, persistent electricity shortages continue to raise concerns about the government’s ability to deliver reliable power to households and businesses.
