By CONSTANCE ATHEKAME

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.

The consumers who spoke to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday said that privatisation of the sector was a good initiative, but added that it had not yielded the desired result.

They said a comprehensive audit and review of the sector would form part of efforts to address the challenges in the industry.

NAN recalls that 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 after privatising the sector. However, the sector’s transmission arm was retained by the Federal Government.

Mr Tunde Omoregie, an Engineer residing in Kuje, said that since the privitasation of the sector in 2013, nothing seemed to be working.

He said power supply was constant when it was being handled by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN).

Omoregie said after the sector was privatised, “it is now worse off, government should do something about the issue or scrap the process.’’

Mrs Irene Deji, also residing in Kuje said that the privatisation of the sector 13 years ago was to bring in private investments to ensure constant power supply.

Deji 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.

Mrs Angela Okorie, a Nurse, residing at Lugbe, said that the ultimate aim of allowing competition in the market at the time of privatisation has not been achieved.

Okorie said that in spite of 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.

”It is not easy to stay without electricity for days, so my appeal to the government and authorities concerned is to review the privatisation process and handle the sector itself, ” she said.

Mr Amos Osuji also residing in Zone 6, Lugbe said that the sector was better off when it was being 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 them 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.

Mr Samuel Odey, residing in Gwagwalada, said that the present arrangement in the sector was not working.

”The government should find a better way to make the sector work rather than allowing Nigerians to be suffering 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)

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