Gbajabiamila restates opposition to estimated billing by DisCos

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila has restated his opposition to the practice of estimated billing system by power distribution companies, declaring that whatever needs to be done to address the issue must be done quickly.

He said this on Tuesday in Abuja, while inaugurating the House ad -hoc Committee on Power Sector Reforms, chaired by House Leader, Rep. Alhassan Doguwa.

Gbajabiamila said setting up the ad-hoc committee became necessary because of the resolve of the House to ensure a comprehensive review of all legislations relating to the power sector.

He added that he was personally concerned about the myriad of challenges in the power sector, saying that “our nation has long struggled with the problem of fixing the power sector in Nigeria and getting it to work in the optimal interest of all our people.

“We have not succeeded, in spite of the best efforts of many. The consequences of that failure are evident in the many industries that have collapsed across the country.

“It is also apparent in the abysmally low productivity of existing industries due to the enormous cost of generating their power independently.

“The power sector is so integral to our national economic growth, to national security and even to social development that we cannot ever stop trying to get it right.”

Gbajabiamila said that to address the issues, the House had on May 12, resolved to set up the committee to undertake a holistic review of the power sector and to recommend further legislative action.

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He charged the committee to take steps to ensure that the House fulfils its commitment of a comprehensive review of all legislations in the power sector.

Gbajabiamila said: “It would not be an easy task because nation building rarely is. But, it will be a worthwhile effort when at the end, we can initiate and complete necessary legislative reforms to remove the regulatory, and bureaucratic bottlenecks that continue to militate against optimum performance in the sector.”

He however, expressed confidence in the ability of the committee’s leadership and the members to deliver on the critical assignment given to them.

“I assure you of my support and that of the House of Representatives. Still, I must ask you to keep three things in mind. First, the complexity of the issues in the power sector is such that your success will depend a great deal on your ability to engage productively with experts and stakeholders across the Nigerian electricity supply industry. Please, do not be reluctant in this regard.

“Secondly, be sure to resist any and all attempts to compromise your work or unduly influence the recommendations you make to the House.

“Finally, remember that success in this assignment may very well be the defining factor of both your legacies as well as the legacy of the ninth House of Representatives,” the speaker said.

Earlier, House Leader, Rep. Doguwa thanked the speaker for finding him and other members of the panel worthy of carrying out such an important national assignment.

According to him, in spite of the huge investments made in the power sector over the years, Nigerians hardly feel the impact. He assured that the committee would do its best to unravel the situation.

He said the committee members would serve with their strength and sense of commitment, responsibility and patriotism, and that they would not leave any stone unturned to right the wrongs in the power sector.