The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu has told Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and its counterparts across the country never to compel communities to purchase transformers, cables and poles.
Adelabu said it is the responsibility of the electricity distribution companies to provide transformers, poles and cables to communities within their areas of coverage.
The minister warned that President Bola Tinubu frowns at the situation where communities would be forced to purchase transformers, poles and cables by electricity distribution companies.
He gave the warning when he paid a working visit to the IBEDC office in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Monday.
While addressing staff and management of the electricity distribution company, the minister said that the current administration will not tolerate a situation where communities will be forced to purchase such items by themselves.
He also asked Nigerians to desist from paying for darkness, adding that a constant and stable power supply is one of the main focuses of the present administration.
“It is the responsibility of the distribution companies to provide transformers, cables and poles to communities so that power supply can improve.
“A situation where communities buy transformers, cables and poles must stop. I know that you have these centers but how effective are they to ensure that customer complaints are attended to?
“As a minister, I don’t want to hear news of communities being asked to purchase electric transformers, cables and poles. If the consumers are paying for the electricity, then it is the responsibility of the distribution companies to provide these items.
“There must be improvement in power supply. That is what the government planned to do. People should not pay for darkness. When people have a 24-hour power supply, they can pay double for electricity because you have saved them the money to power generators.
“We don’t want to hear the news of communities buying transformers, cables and poles for themselves again. The federal government frowns at it. You see what we have done in Kaduna.
“Service to our people is paramount. It is the responsibility that Mr. President has placed on us. You are not number one, two or three, you are struggling to be number four on the rating”.
