… Warns of stiffer sanctions over long-standing debts
ABUJA – The House of Representatives has summoned the management of Benin, Port Harcourt, and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) over alleged non-remittance of N100 billion into the Federation Account.
The summon, issued on Monday by the Chairman of the House Public Accounts Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, comes after repeated failures by the companies to respond to previous invitations.
The discos are expected to appear before the committee on Thursday.
Rep. Salam explained that the directive followed the consideration of an interim report presented by the subcommittee chairman, Rep. Mark Chidi Obetta.
He expressed concern over the decade-long nature of some of the debts, stressing the urgent need for recovery and proper accountability of public funds.
The committee warned the affected companies of stiffer sanctions should they fail to honour the latest invitation, describing their previous non-compliance as deliberate acts of legislative contempt.
The development is part of a broader probe into electricity sector debts.
On August 20, the Public Accounts Committee had summoned 11 electricity distribution companies over a cumulative N2.6 trillion owed to the Federation Account.
