By Chris OCHAYI

The Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, has blamed the problem of epileptic electricity supply currently being experienced across the country on inability of the Distribution Companies (Discos) to make meaningful impact in replacement of old and obsolete power equipment.

The President of NSE, Engr. Otis Oliver Anyaeji, who made the observation while speaking in Abuja, warned that except drastic steps are taken to reverse this trend the country will continue to experience power failures and darkness.

He stated: “Many of the equipment are old. The Disco are not investing to replace or upgrade them despite that notion that private sector purchase will solve the problem. Some of the Discos have abandoned new installations by NIPP (Nigeria Independent Power Project) to vandals because of the notion that improved efficiency will increase their losses.

“Most of the Discos payment of collected fund to market operator is below what Power Holding Company of Nigeria was delivering before. This is the major challenge in the Power Sector. They are reluctant to install prepared meters because the estimated billing perhaps pays them more.

“Customers who have paid for the prepaid meters are not getting them installed. Energy theft is affecting the collection which should have been solved by above.”

According to Anyaeji, from the state of the power sector, there is the need to draw the attention of the President to the difference between reform and development.