In a recent inspection and assessment tour of electricity installations and facilities in Ibadan, Oyo State, the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, clarified that the purchase of transformers, electricity poles, power cables, and related infrastructure falls under the purview of power distribution companies (DISCOs), not individual power consumers.
During the tour, which included discussions with the management of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, Minister Adelabu expressed his commitment to ending the current practice where consumers bear the cost of these utilities. He emphasized that such responsibilities rightfully belong to the DISCOs and vowed to take action to relieve consumers of these financial burdens.
Addressing widespread complaints about the metering system in the power sector, Minister Adelabu acknowledged the dissatisfaction among consumers with the estimated billing system and pledged to address this issue. His proposed plan includes the cancellation of estimated billings, a move that could potentially transform the billing system in the power sector.
Minister Adelabu stated, “It is the responsibility of the distribution companies to provide transformers, cables, and poles to communities so that power supply can improve. A situation where communities buy transformers, cables, and poles must stop. If consumers are paying for electricity, then it is the responsibility of the distribution companies to provide these items.”
Expressing the government’s commitment to improving power supply, he added, “We don’t want to hear the news of communities buying transformers, cables, and poles for themselves again. The federal government frowns at it. You see what we have done in Kaduna. Service to our people is paramount. It is the responsibility that Mr. President has placed on us.”
