DisCos suspension has minimal effect on electricity consumers —TCN

Mrs Ndidi Mbah, the General Manager Public Affairs of The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), has revealed that  the suspension of some Distribution Companies (DisCos) from the Electricity Market does not affect most electricity consumers in their franchise areas. 

This was revealed in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Sunday.

Mbah disclosed that the impact of the disconnection was minimal and was mostly done in feeders near the Disco’s headquarters, adding that only the people around that area were affected.

Recently, it was reported that TCN had in the last few weeks issued suspension and disconnection orders against some DisCos which include Port-Harcourt, Kano, Enugu, Eko and Ikeja DISCOs over allegations of infraction of market rules.

According to TCN, the suspension order is due to default in the Market Conditions/Market Participation Agreements.

NAN also reports that TCN, however, lifted the suspension on Enugu, Eko and Ikeja DISCOs after they complied with the market conditions/participation agreement while Port-Harcourt and Kano DisCos are still on suspension.

Mbah said that the suspension was a partial one, adding that TCN was mindful of the impact of the disconnection or suspension on consumers.

Mbah said that the suspension could be seen as a yellow card, “which means they are still in the game, it is like a warning.’’

According to her, TCN has a right to disconnect every power but it will not be fair for them to disconnect a DisCo completely.

Some of the DisCos were suspended for failing to increase their security order to the acceptable level, while some did not pay 100 per-cent of their invoice for service charge .

She said three DisCos which were suspended, Eko, Ikeja and Enugu had rectified what led to their suspension and were now fully back in the market.

Mbah said that Port-Harcourt and Kano were still under suspension, adding that they were making plans to settle their default.