Nigeria has warned Togo and Niger to immediately clear their $16 million debt or face slashing of electricity supply. Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), which is facing severe capital deficits has already restricted supply to both the countries.
TCN needs funds to upgrade infrastructure to meet increasing demand at home and abroad. The poor infrastructure has handicapped operations of Generating Companies (GENCOs) and Distribution Companies (DISCOs). The firms are also facing pressures from employees regarding payment of outstanding allowances and salaries too. The National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) last week called a strike to force the firms to pay.
The Managing Director of the TCN, Mr Usman Mohammed, said “We will disconnect them. Electricity is not charity.” Niger owes TCN, $2 million and Togo $14 million though a couple of years back, their outstanding payment amounted to $100 million. Nigeria supplies 300 megawatts of electricity to Togo, Benin and Niger.
