NCSCN Urges Action to Address Poor Electricity Supply
Margaret Ebeshi
The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has issued a plea for urgent action regarding the poor state of electricity supply in the nation.
The organisation has demanded the immediate suspension of the Managing Director and CEO of the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz, pending a thorough investigation into allegations of misconduct by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
These demands were voiced by Mr. Blessing Akinlosotu, the Executive Director of NCSCN, during a press briefing held in Abuja, Nigeria.
Akinlosotu emphasised the gravity of the electricity crisis, describing it as a national emergency exacerbated by frequent collapses of the National Grid and the inefficient transmission and distribution of generated power.
He added that amidst the widespread frustration and severe repercussions of the inadequate electricity supply, disturbing allegations have surfaced implicating Engr. Sule Ahmed Abdulaziz in a scandal.
“Over 20 petitions have been brought before the Civil Society Council against the MD/CEO of TCN and a few other directed at the Leadership of the Distribution Companies (DISCOs). However, the most alarming is the recent reports across media outlets concerning bribery allegations against the Managing Director of TCN, Engr. Sule A. Abdulaziz, that he purchased an SUV Car to induce the Honourable Minister of Power to influence his retention.
“The MD has reportedly bought a 2023 Lexus SUV LX 600 model procured at the cost of N298, 444,187.50k for the Minister of Power, Mr Adebayo Adelabu. Reliable Sources has it that the MD of TCN bought the vehicle from the internally generated revenue of the company to bribe the Minister to ensure that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR does not remove him from office,” Mr. Akinlosotu said.
According to him, available documents on the transaction show that the vehicle with Chassis No. JTJPBACX6P4026917 was procured from Kaura Motors Nigeria Limited through a contract agreement dated January 17, 2024, under the heading ‘Procurement Of Vehicles For Management Staff (Lot 1 & 2)’.
Also Read: TCN Attributes Partial Grid Failure to Gas Shortage
“A payment document with the heading “Payment Advice” shows that the money was paid to Kaura Motors Nigeria Limited account domicile with Fidelity Bank from TCN account through the Central Bank of Nigeria on February 20, 2024, at exactly 09:05 am and with Ref No: 997617729. The Batch Number is 15161, and the detailed description reads, “Payment for the supply and delivery of 1No Lexus LX 600 2023 Model for management staff lot 1 and 2,” he stated.
He noted that in light of all this, about 226 containers of power equipment and transformers owned by the TCN are at various ports in Nigeria, and the MD of TCN has been unable to raise and pay the sum of One Billion Naira for the power equipment and transformers.
The Executive Director NCSCN added that the Civil Society Council is in custody of a letter dated November 7, 2023 with reference TCN/MD/CEO/01/E,001/VOL 7/227/2023 signed by the MD/CEO of TCN himself to the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service appealing for Intervention to cancel the huge demurrage and duties that had accumulated up to about N5b (five billion naira) of which the Comptroller General graciously oblige, cutting down to only 20% about N1b (One Billion only) in order to help improve electricity supply in Nigeria.
He added that “despite the goodwill and kind gesture of the Comptroller General of Customs, the MD of TCN is still unable to pay and take deliveries till date. We can all imagine the positive impact of 226 container load of power equipment and transformers to the national grid and electricity supply across the country, instead the MD of TCN can raise over one quarter of the same amount to buy car for a Minister.”
Emphasizing the stance of NCSCN, the Director Mobilization, Mr. Olayemi Success said that the purchase of car for the Minister of Power is the height of irresponsibility and insensitivity to the plight of the masses.
Mr. Success stressed that the Council hereby issues a 7-day ultimatum starting from the day of the Press Conference to relevant authorities to take actions on the above demands, “failure to which we shall be left with no other option than to mobilize a mass protests nationwide to drive home our demands. Nigerians can no longer tolerate the excesses of the MD of TCN, and we demand remedies now or never.”
The Director Creative and Entertainment Industry, Patience Eze appealed to President Bola Tinubu to look into the evidence brought forward in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda.
