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Minister, DisCos Differ Over Cause Of Outages In Homes, Offices
Minister of Power Adebyo Adelabu and Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) gave divergent reasons for continuous power outages in homes and offices.
While the minister said it is due to negligence, DisCos blame it all on low generation.
Adelabu urged the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) and DisCos to improve power supply to consumers.
He wondered why power supply which was stable in December suddenly dipped.
According to him, negligence and not sabotage of equipment is responsible for outages.
He spoke after meeting with officials of TCN, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
“It seems you people have not bought into the (prescribed) solutions. November/December power supply improved across the nation that we were celebrating.
“We entered the year, everything changed. It is not sabotage but sheer negligence,” Baba Mustafa, the ministry’s Director of Distribution, quoted the minister as saying.
Adelabu, according to Mustafa, challenged them to identify what led to the decline in power supply and to take advantage of low hanging fruits in their franchise areas to improve distribution in the next few weeks.
“At the meeting, we identified the low-hanging fruits that when utilised can lead to improved power supply. The DisCos, especially, have agreed to take advantage of them (hanging fruits) to improve power supply in the next couple of weeks.
“We have been given a marching order. And those problems that jeopardise the supply of power, especially in Abuja or reduce the supply will be addressed. People will see an improvement.”
IBEDC Chief Executive Officer Kingsley Achife said his firm and the AEDC gave themselves about three to six months to identify the easiest ways in the areas to deliver power to the customers.
He said: “ We have given ourselves a timeline of about a quarter: three to six months for each person to bring up the low hanging fruits in his areas and solve it and then work cooperatively with them to ensure there is seamless flow of customers in those areas, especially the areas which the complaints are coming from.”
Achife pointed out that low generation had been responsible for the outages currently been experienced by consumers.
He said the only way to address the challenge was for the DisCos to work in partnership with the TCN.
He added: “We have had a candid discussion and look without blaming anybody for the various challenges we have in our networks.
“ And from these challenges, we have been able to reach one conclusion. One way to solve it is to work together in partnership with our TCN partner, which is the main institution that gives us most of the power to distribute.
“We have looked at the areas where there have been issues and the problem they cause our customers .
“And of course, there is also the question of the challenge of the amount of power that is released in the system which has affected our expectation.”
Also, AEDC Acting Managing Director Victor Ojelani said they explained to Adelabu that the drop in supply from January this year was beyond their control.
Ojelani said they informed the minister that low generation was accountable for their reduced supply to customers.
The AEDC boss cited instances of allocation that was 588MW in December.
He said his company’s allocation that would have been 611MW in line with the January 2024 Multi -Year Tariff Order (MYTO) dipped to 561MW with a shortfall of 50MW.
Ojelani added that last month, there was a deficit of 147MW as only 464MW was allocated to the firm.
He said: “During the meeting we were able to explain to the minister what has caused the sudden drop in supply by us which is beyond us. Those were explained generally by low generation, which necessitated low allocation to the AEDC and IBEDC.
“We gave statistics. For instance, for AEDC 2024 Allocation MYTO MW 611. In January I got 561. There is a deficit of 50MW. This was worsened in February, I got 464MW which gave a shortfall of 147MW. That is not available for our customers.”
He however noted that the TCN was already working to address the constraints from its own end.
According to him, the minister assured them that the Federal Government was working hard to bridge the metering gap in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) soon.
Ojelani said there is also the plan by the government for each DisCo to identify vulnerable areas, where it needs government to intervene so that it can provide transformers free of charge to the DisCos on behalf of the citizenry.
He said the minister wants all the value chain to work together for progress in the industry.
Ojelani said: “From the DisCos side we will address any issue that comes up. From the TCN, you heard him speak yesterday, generation will be increased to 6,000MW within a short period.
“So, the TCN is ready to receive it. The DisCos are ready to evacuate it and put smile on our customers. Very soon the narrative will change and we will put smile on our customers.”
News
Boko Haram Demands $300,000 Ransom For Abducted Borno Ex-LG Chair, Another Victim
A new video has emerged showing two men reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, pleading for assistance to secure their release.
One of the captives, former Biu Local Government Area Chairman Hassan Biu Miringa, revealed that their abductors are demanding a $300,000 ransom.
Miringa said he and another individual were taken in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the militants.
In the video shared by Zagazola Makama, Miringa introduced himself, saying: “I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former Chairman of Biu Local Government from 2020 to 2022. Four years after my tenure, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa about two weeks ago. Alhamdulillah, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives.”
He added that negotiations with the kidnappers had been underway, with some preliminary agreements reportedly reached.
“We have engaged them on four separate occasions and reached an understanding. We appeal to our leaders, especially Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur, the National Assembly representative for Biu, Kwaya, and Shani Hon. Betera Aliyu, as well as our community leaders, to temper justice with mercy and assist us. We are their children and have been working together,” Miringa said.
He confirmed the ransom demand, explaining that each captive is expected to pay $150,000, totaling $300,000 for their freedom, and pleaded for urgent intervention to reunite with their families.
The video highlights ongoing concerns over kidnappings and insecurity in southern Borno State, which have persisted despite government efforts to curb insurgent activity in the region.
News
How Rivers Women Spread Wrappers For Wike’s Motorcade During Port Harcourt Visit
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.
Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.
The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.
Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.
Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.
News
Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Deputy Still Active – Rivers Assembly
The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.
The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.
According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.
“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.
The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.
Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.
The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.
“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”
It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.
JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.
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