By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has summoned the Managing Directors of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company and the Jos Electricity Distribution Company following their failure to appear at a scheduled investigative hearing on Thursday.
The Chairman of the ad hoc committee probing power sector reforms and expenditure between 2007 and 2024, Rep. Al-Mustapha Ibrahim, voiced strong displeasure over their absence. He noted that the non-appearance of the chief executives weakened the objective of the inquiry and showed a lack of regard for the committee’s work. 
The committee was set up to examine longstanding issues in Nigeria’s power sector, which have continued to hamper national growth despite more than a decade of privatisation and repeated reform efforts.
Ibrahim said:“There is no way we can move forward without hearing directly from the Managing Directors.
“We want them to tell Nigerians who they are, what they do, the investments they have made, and how they have utilised the various government interventions in the power sector.”
He explained that although earlier hearings had examined challenges around power generation and transmission, electricity distribution companies remain key players, as their performance has a direct impact on the supply of power to end users.
He also referenced submissions made by the Transmission Company of Nigeria, which showed that the country has never achieved electricity generation of up to 13,300 megawatts at any point. Instead, peak generation has remained around 10,000 megawatts, even with a transmission capacity of approximately 7,000 megawatts.
“The big question is why Nigerians are still in darkness.
“Discos must explain why communities and individuals are still forced to buy transformers and other infrastructure that should ordinarily be their responsibility”, he added.
During the hearing, officials who appeared on behalf of the Discos could not provide convincing explanations for the absence of their Managing Directors, nor present letters formally notifying the committee of any delegation.
Members of the committee unanimously rejected the representation and insisted that only the Managing Directors could adequately address the issues raised.
Following deliberations, a member of the committee, Rep. Olaide Mohammed, moved a motion for the meeting to be adjourned to 5th February, directing the Discos to reappear with their Managing Directors to defend their submissions and explain their investment records, infrastructure development, and utilisation of intervention funds.
“We want to hear from the horse’s mouth. Nigerians are suffering across the country, and this is not an issue we can continue to treat lightly”, Olaide stated.
The motion was amended by Rep. Abubakar Jajere, as he called for the invitation of core investors in the Discos, citing what he described as a pattern of disregard for the committee’s summons.
“We have already set a precedent that agencies invited must be represented by their chief executives.
“If the Discos continue to respond negatively, then we should invite their core investors. That way, accountability will be enforced,” Jajere said.
The chairman upheld the amended motion, warning that failure to comply with the committee’s directive would attract the full instrumentality of the House.
“If they continue to evade this investigation, it raises serious questions about their capacity, commitment, and ability to deliver effective power supply after 13 years of privatisation,” Ibrahim said.
The committee adjourned proceedings to 5th February, reaffirming its resolve to uncover the root causes of Nigeria’s electricity crisis and ensure accountability in the power sector.
