Reps issue 48 hours to NERC to reinstate suspended Ibadan DISCO board
The House of Representatives on Wednesday issued a 48 hour ultimatum to Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to reinstate the suspended the Board of Ibadan Distribution Company (IBEDC). Daniel Asuquo, chairman, House Committee on Power who issued the ultimatum during the investigative public hearing on the ‘Need to save Ibadan DISCO Plc’, harped on the need for the regulatory agency to desist from any act that could send wrong signal to investors. The lawmaker who cautioned against the utilization of public fund to prosecute cases, underscored the need for all parties involved to put public interest above individual gains.
BusinessDay gathered that the Ibadan DISCO Board was suspended by , sequel to the delay in the payment of $185.6 million facility given to Integrated Energy Distribution & Marketing Company (IEDC), obtained from consortium of six banks that financed the acquisition of Ibadan DISCO facility and Yola DISCO respectively.
According to the document made available to the House, the facility was given to IEDC, Parent Company and holder of 60 percent equity of Ibadan DISCO between May 2015 and May 2016.
The sponsor of the motion, further observed that the loan to IEDM’s request for the N6 billion inter-company loan was on the reasonable expectation of receiving the Yola refund within five days of approval
since the claim had already been approved by President Muhammadu Buhari and same had been communicated to IEDM via a letter dated 21st may, 2015 from BPE.
since the claim had already been approved by President Muhammadu Buhari and same had been communicated to IEDM via a letter dated 21st may, 2015 from BPE.
In its intervention, Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), holder of 40 percent of IBEDC equity on behalf of Federal Government wrote a letter to NERC requesting the Commission to give the Bureau two weeks to resolve the matter amicably.
The Commission had on the 19th June, 2018 issued an order No. NERC/181/2018 suspending the executive and non-executive member of IBEDC.
Asuquo who underscored the need for NERC to maintain status quo as directed by an Abuja Federal High Court in a suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/665/18, noted that the House is exercising its statutory power to initiate investigation the activities of any institution established by the Act of Parliament.
While responding to inquiry, James Momoh, NERC chairman and Olufunke Dinneh, General Manager (Legal) argued that the Commission is constrained by the ruling of the Federal High Court to maintain status quo, adding that presentation by the Commission before the Committee will be prejudicial.
He added that also the parties were also prohibited to desist from any action that would meddle with the litigation. Speaking earlier, Asuquo reiterated the commitment of the House towards playing the role of trouble shooter in the electricity supply industry and continually work to put out fires that could threaten the growth of the industry.
“One thing that is very clear to industry stakeholders is that Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) is now at the point where successor companies (or DISCOs) are anxiously looking to raise further
capital to rehabilitate their acquired assets and to invest for the future.
capital to rehabilitate their acquired assets and to invest for the future.
“Also to be noted is that the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are looking to consolidate their positions in the new post-reform market. “There can be no doubt that a complicated market such as the NESI calls for all-inclusive stakeholder engagement. This will include a robust regulatory engagement that will not only be inviting to investors but will also discourage disinvestment of any kind,” he urged.