By Fatima Ndagi
The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the management of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), and Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHEDC) to appear before the committee over outstanding debts exceeding ₦100 billion owed to the Federation Account.
The directive came during a public hearing on Monday, where Chairman of the committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, warned that failure to comply would attract sanctions for legislative contempt. The decision followed consideration of an interim report presented by Hon. Mark Chidi Obetta, chairman of the PAC subcommittee.
Rep. Salam noted that the three Discos had repeatedly ignored previous invitations from the committee, describing their actions as deliberate contempt of the legislature. “The non-appearance of these companies in response to repeated summonses undermines accountability and cannot be condoned,” he said.
The outstanding debts, which date back several years, were highlighted in the Auditor-General’s reports for the 2021 and 2022 financial years. Some liabilities, the committee noted, have remained unpaid for over a decade, raising serious concerns about transparency and compliance.
The PAC’s action follows a broader investigation initiated on August 20, 2025, when all 11 electricity distribution companies were summoned over a cumulative debt of ₦2.6 trillion owed to the Federation Account. While some Discos complied, IBEDC, BEDC, and PHEDC consistently failed to provide explanations for their obligations.
Expressing urgency, Rep. Salam stressed the need for decisive measures to recover the funds and ensure proper accountability for public resources. He said, “These debts are not trivial. Prolonged non-payment harms the government’s finances and undermines public trust in the electricity sector.”
The committee has set a deadline of Thursday, December 18, 2025, for the management of IBEDC, BEDC, and PHEDC to appear and provide detailed explanations of the outstanding payments. Lawmakers reiterated that failure to honour the summons would trigger sanctions in line with the committee’s powers to enforce legislative compliance.
