327
By Daniel Adaji
The Forum for Commissioners of Power and Energy in Nigeria (FOCPEN) has issued a stern warning against what it described as a dangerous abuse of power by electricity distribution companies (DisCos), stating unequivocally that “DisCos cannot hold Nigeria to ransom.”
This warning followed the deliberate reduction of power supply to Enugu State by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company PLC (EEDC), an action FOCPEN described as “reckless” and “a declaration of war on the good people of Enugu State.”
In a statement on Wednesday, FOCPEN condemned the power cuts, attributing the outages to EEDC’s protest against a new tariff order from the Enugu Electricity Regulatory Commission. The order, which took effect on August 1, 2025, had reduced Band A electricity tariffs from N209/kwh to N160/kwh for EEDC’s subsidiary, MainPower Electricity Distribution Limited.
Rather than seeking redress through legal or regulatory processes, FOCPEN said EEDC responded by reducing power supply to Enugu by as much as 50%, a move the forum described as “blackmail.”
“FOCPEN wishes to state unequivocally that if MainPower or EEDC believe the tariff as set by the Regulator is inadequate, the appropriate and legal path is to seek a review through established regulatory processes. To resort to an arbitrary disconnection or reduction of power by up to 50% to a State, smacks of blackmail by EEDC,” the statement read.
The forum also warned that the implications of such actions extend far beyond Enugu. “EEDC’s action sets a dangerous precedent for other DisCos to undermine the successful implementation of the Electricity Act 2023 and decentralization of electricity regulations,” FOCPEN stated.
It further noted that the incident reflects the weakness in the current market structure, highlighting the flawed privatization process that, according to FOCPEN, “has empowered private investors of DisCos to deprive citizens of essential electricity services with impunity.”
Calling for immediate intervention, FOCPEN urged the Minister of Power, Chief Bayo Adelabu, to step in and ensure that NERC and EEDC reverse the cuts and restore power to Enugu.
“As the chief policy maker for the sector, the Minister must take decisive action to stop the lawlessness by DisCos who can arbitrarily and without consequence deprive citizens of electricity,” the forum appealed.
The group also demanded regulatory reform to protect sub-national electricity markets. According to them, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) must develop appropriate regulations that enable sub-national utilities (SubCos) to independently procure wholesale electricity from GenCos, bypassing the control of Holding Companies (HoldCos), which currently dictate the terms of power distribution.
FOCPEN called on NERC to sanction EEDC. “The Commission must prove that it has the teeth to regulate the NESI as the apex regulator and protect consumers from the tyranny of powerful Successor DisCos HoldCos that are currently its licensees,” the statement said.
Both the Chairman and Acting Secretary of FOCPEN signed the release, stating that they would continue to monitor the situation and would not hesitate to act further to protect the rights of electricity consumers across Nigeria.
“FOCPEN stands in solidarity with the people of Enugu State and call on all relevant authorities to address this crisis with the urgency it deserves,” the statement added.