The minister of power, Adebayo Adelabu, says the the purchase of transformers, electricity poles or power cables amongst others is the responsibility of power distribution companies (DISCOs) and not power consumers resident in communities.
The minister disclosed this during his inspection and assessment tour of electricity installations and facilities in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Saturday, as he met with the management of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.
Vowing to stop the trend, and assuring the DISCOs that the federal government will assist them in that regard, he lamented the complaints by power consumers about the metering system and promised to address the situation by canceling the estimated billings in the power sector.
He said: “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. I know that you have these centres but how effective are they to ensure that customer complaints are attended to?
“As a minister, I don’t want to hear news of communities being asked to purchase electric transformers, cables, and poles. If the consumers are paying for the electricity, then it is the responsibility of the distribution companies to provide these items.
“There must be improvement in power supply. That is what the government planned to do. People should not pay for darkness. When people have a 24-hour power supply, they can pay double for electricity because you have saved them the money to power generators.
“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. You are not number one, two or three, you are struggling to be number four on the rating,” he added.