Fashola Faults Call For Cancellation Of Power Sector Privatisation

The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, has faulted the call for the cancellation of privatisation of power sector. Fashola said although he agreed that there were problems with privatisation, four years was not enough to change what could not be done in 60 years in the electricity distribution sector.

The minister said that stealing and vandalisation of electricity equipment were part of the challenges that Distribution Companies (DISCOs) were faced with. Instead of passing a vote of no confidence on DISCOs, Fashola said the states should assist them in all possible ways. On allowing states to develop their own power plants, he said government did not stop any state from doing so.

He passionately appealed to residents to pay for energy they consumed while people should desist from pilfering electricity equipment. He specifically urged state governments to empower the magistrate’s courts to punish those who bring down energy or damage equipment, as that would reduce the workload of the High Courts.

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