Lawmakers move to curb energy theft
Nigeria’s House Committee on Privatization and Commercialization is advancing legislation to address electricity theft through enhanced penalties and asset protection measures. Chairman Hamisu Ibrahim described the practice as a significant barrier to effective power distribution during an inspection of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company facilities.
The committee pledged assistance in recovering substantial debts owed to distribution companies by government entities at the federal, state and local levels. Francis Agoha, the managing director of IBEDC, requested parliamentary intervention regarding both theft issues and unpaid obligations that restrict market liquidity and infrastructure investment capacity.
IBEDC has expanded its network and improved metering since privatization over a decade ago, but vandalism and government arrears continue hampering service provision. The legislative review aims to evaluate sector performance and regulatory compliance following the transfer of operations to private management.
