Politically speaking, the electricity value chain comprises generation, transmission and distribution arms, with the DISCOs at the downstream end and responsible for delivering retail energy to Nigerians and it can be said that they have been carrying out this function using the existing networks. The assessment of their effectiveness in delivering electricity to the people is left to the end-users to make.

However, it is obvious that we are gradually entering the rainy season that is always heralded with turbulent wind across the length and breadth of the nation as witnessed in the damages to properties in Ekiti state during a recent downpour. The electrical network of the DISCOs are not exempted from such sad occurrences as most of their network are overhead wire connections and are exposed to the vagaries of weather.

The DISCO network comprises all 33Kv and 11Kv high tension (HT) lines as well as 415volts connections that are used to convey electricity to customers and are expected to be regularly maintained by the owners for efficient performance. 

The reality on ground however, is that the maintenance level of these lines by the DISCOs is unimpressive and nothing to write home about as they are very weak and fragile thus giving way at the least stress. This is particularly true of the 11Kv lines and this has forced customers with means to migrate to the more reliable 33Kv lines thereby giving rise to a proliferation of “point loads” (loads that are connected to the lines before the Injection stations). 

The situation is so terrible that when faults occur on 11Kv lines, they are thrown back to transmission stations thus causing system instability, endangering transmission equipment and taking out both healthy and faulty lines with its attendant negative effect on customers.

In order to serve their customers better, DISCOs should take advantage of this period before the rains commence fully to embark on aggressive line maintenance of their network with the intent to replace weak components and clear every encumbrances that can breach their network. Doing this will ensure customer satisfaction and translate into more revenue to the DISCOs.