Union urges FG to monitor utilisation of N39 bn bailout by DISCOs
NAN-H-47
Bailout
Chinyere Bassey
Lagos, Aug. 23, 2017 (NAN) The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) on Wednesday advised the Federal Government to monitor utilisation of the N39 billion bailout given to Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos), to avoid misappropriation.
Mr Martin Uzoegwu, President of NUEE, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He said that the bailout meant for the Disco’s metering plan, if not properly monitored, would be mismanaged.
NAN recalled that on Aug. 13, Mr Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing announced the bailout at the 18th monthly power sector stakeholders’ meeting.
The meeting, hosted by the Kano Electricity Distribution Company, was aimed at ensuring uninterrupted power generation and distribution.
Uzoegwo also said that the union was not pleased with the release of the fund, as the distribution companies have not lived up to expectations, four years after the privatisation of the government electricity company.
”Many years after privatisation, Nigerians are still complaining of poor power supply; that is why the two unions in the sector wanted a more transparent process when the idea was muted,” he said.
Uzoegwu advised the government to stop further releases until investors in the sector come in with their funds.
Also, Mr Joe Ajaero, General Secretary of NUEE said it was regrettable that in spite of the release of N1.3 billion to the companies, there has been no significant improvement in electricity supply nationwide.
Ajaero cautioned the government not to allow any form of exploitation through the electricity sector, so as not to unduly enrich some people. (NAN)
CHIN/DO/MZA
Edited by David Onilede/Maharazu Ahmed
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