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ANED attributes power sector challenges to liquidity crisis

By Tayo Oredola
08 August 2018   |   2:19 am
The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), has said that until the liquidity crisis is sorted, Nigerians cannot enjoy uninterrupted power in the next five years.

The Executive Director, ANED, Sunday Oduntan

The Association of Nigerian Electricity Distributors (ANED), has said that until the liquidity crisis is sorted, Nigerians cannot enjoy uninterrupted power in the next five years.

According to the association, the power sector liquidity crisis and shortfalls is now about N1.3 trillion, and called for stakeholders’ collaboration to tackle the issue for the common good of Nigeria.
     
The Director, Research and Advocacy, ANED, Sunday Oduntan, who was recently in Lagos, said “the sector is bleeding,” which is why the country cannot have stable power.He maintained that the re-flow crisis in the sector is a major issue, and there was a need to tackle the subject collaboratively without sentiments or politics. 

      
Among others, he suggested that Nigeria’s national budget should contain a certain amount consistently dedicated to transmission for the expansion of the grid, and also create a robust environment to increase distribution network and capacity.
      
Oduntun attributed the perceived inefficiency of the power distribution companies to infrastructural challenges, and the need for heavy investment and cooperation of customers, especially in the area of energy theft.
      
He however implored decision-makers not to drag ANED or the power sector into the country’s mucky political waters, saying: “We should not play politics with power but rather treat it as a stand-alone entity that can help to build the economy.

In doing this, issues should be addressed and not personalized, and people with contrary opinion should not be seen as enemies of the state, because at the end of the day, we are working at the same objectives.”
     
Citing the issue of metering, which he said has been politicised, Oduntan emphasised that metering is no more in the hands of any Disco in Nigeria, as the regulator through the Federal Ministry of Power, had taken over the process through the Meter Access Provider (MAP) regulation. “We await directions when it starts, and we are committed to its success.”
 

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