In a joint statement, the Human Rights, Liberty Access and Peace Defenders Foundation (HURIDE) and Campaign for Democracy (CD), South East, have urged the Federal Government of Nigeria to revoke the licenses of Power Distribution Companies (DISCOs) in the country. The groups asserted that the DISCOs have failed abysmally, necessitating immediate action from the government.

In the statement signed by Dede Uzor A. Uzor, the Executive Director of HURIDE and Chairman of CD in the South East, the rights groups emphasized that it is evident that the DISCOs can no longer provide adequate power to Nigerians. They advocated for transferring power distribution responsibilities to tested companies with international performance records and sufficient resources.

The groups decried the collapse of the national grid, attributing it to “monumental corruption and lack of credible leadership.” They called for the removal of the former Minister of Power and urged an investigation into the tenure of the immediate past Minister of Power, Fashola, holding him accountable for the lack of significant improvements in power supply during his eight-year tenure.

Expressing discontent with the Federal Government and DISCOs’ plan to increase tariffs without a corresponding increase in power supply, the rights groups criticized the situation where Nigerians are compelled to fund various aspects of power infrastructure. They questioned the allocation of billions of naira to the Power Ministry in the last administration and raised concerns about transparency.

The groups called for an end to the era of communities and individuals contributing money for power equipment repairs, asserting that Nigerians are already burdened with high bills, manipulated meters, and a lack of improvement in power supply.

Highlighting the alleged influence of politicians and businessmen over DISCOs, the rights groups warned against the proposed tariff hike during challenging economic times. Instead, they urged the Federal Government to focus on alleviating the economic hardships faced by the people.

As a solution, the groups suggested that foreign investors with expertise in power management take over power distribution in Nigeria to ensure constant power supply. They emphasized the need for a more transparent and accountable approach to address the power sector’s challenges.

The statement concluded by urging the government to prioritize the welfare of citizens and take decisive actions to improve the power situation in the country. The groups called for a reevaluation of the current approach and a commitment to providing Nigerians with reliable and affordable electricity.