House Committee Summons Management of Benin, Port Harcourt, Ibadan Discos Over N100bn Payment Default

•Downstream committee, NMDPRA deepen collaboration on petroleum sector reforms

Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has summoned the management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), and Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) over outstanding debts estimated at more than N100 billion owed to the Federation Account.

The committee, chaired by Hon. Bamidele Salam, issued the directive, discovering that the affected Discos had failed to honour several previous invitations.

The resolution followed consideration of an interim report presented by the chairman of the sub-committee, Hon. Mark Chidi Obetta, at a public hearing yesterday, in Abuja.

The committee gave the three electricity distribution companies (Discos) a 72-hour ultimatum to appear before it or face sanctions for legislative contempt.

On August 20, 2025, the committee summoned 11 electricity distribution companies over a cumulative debt of N2.6 trillion owed to the Federation Account.

However, the management of IBEDC, BEDC, and PHEDC have consistently failed to appear before the committee to account for their outstanding liabilities, as detailed in the Auditor-General’s reports for the 2021 and 2022 financial years.

The committee condemned what it described as deliberate acts of legislative contempt by the three Discos and warned that stiff sanctions would be imposed should they fail to appear before the committee on Thursday, December 18, 2025.

Speaking, Salam expressed concern over the long-standing nature of the debts, noting that some of the liabilities have remained unpaid for over a decade.

He stressed the need for urgent and decisive action to recover the funds and ensure they are properly accounted for in the interest of the Nigerian government and the public.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has underscored the need for continuous capacity building and closer collaboration between lawmakers and regulators.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, made the call during an end-of-year capacity-building training workshop organised by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) for committee members and support staff.

Reflecting on the Committee’s activities over the year, Ugochinyere said 2025 was marked by sustained engagement with regulatory reforms under the PIA, stakeholder consultations across the fuel supply and distribution chain, and oversight on fuel availability, pricing stability and consumer protection.

Ugochinyere said capacity building was no longer optional but a critical necessity in a sector that directly affects every Nigerian through fuel availability, pricing, transportation costs, inflation and household welfare.

“Regulation and legislation are not parallel lines; they are complementary forces.

“When regulators and lawmakers understand each other’s mandates, constraints and expectations, the Nigerian people ultimately benefit.”

He commended the leadership and management of the NMDPRA for investing in the knowledge and skills of legislators and legislative support staff, noting that such collaboration reflected the spirit of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which has restructured Nigeria’s oil and gas governance framework.

According to him, the Committee also focused on challenges relating to importation, local refining, storage and distribution infrastructure, while supporting policies aimed at energy security, competition and private sector participation.

“We have interfaced with regulators, operators, labour unions and consumer groups to balance national interest with market realities,” he said, adding that improved internal coordination, evidence-based hearings and inter-agency collaboration had strengthened the Committee’s effectiveness.

The committee chairman paid glowing tribute to members of the committee secretariat and support staff, describing them as the quiet force behind successful hearings, reports and oversight visits.

“Your role is not auxiliary; it is central to the effectiveness of this Committee,” he said, stressing that as legislative work becomes more complex, the need for technically sound and well-trained support staff becomes even more critical.

Looking ahead to 2026, Ugochinyere said the downstream petroleum sector would continue to evolve amid global energy market volatility, expanding domestic refining capacity and heightened public scrutiny.

He outlined key priorities for the coming year, including proactive oversight, support for local refining and logistics efficiency, regulatory accountability, transparency in the downstream market and protection of consumers alongside investor confidence.

“Above all, we must continue to act in the national interest,guided by facts, informed by expertise, and anchored in our constitutional responsibilities,” he said.

He urged participants at the workshop to engage actively, challenge assumptions and focus on translating knowledge gained into better laws, stronger oversight and improved outcomes for Nigerians.

“The value of this programme will not be measured by certificates or photographs, but by how it strengthens our work and improves the lives of our people,” Ugochinyere said.