Federal Secretary Water and Power Sikandar Ahmed Rai on Sunday presided over a meeting of the power sector here at Wapda House to discuss ways and means to improve power situation in the country.

The meeting convened by Wapda Chairman Syed Raghib Abbas Shah, was attended by Wapda Secretary, Member (Power), Member (Finance), Member (Water), Chief Executive Officers of the Power Distribution Companies (Discos), Managing Directors of National Transmission & Dispatch Company (NTDC) and Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO), and other senior officers of the power sector.

Addressing the meeting, the Federal Secretary said that the power sector is vital not only for economy of the country but also for social uplift of the people. He said that in view of power sector’s importance for the country, the Ministry of Water & Power is making concerted efforts to bring about a tangible improvement in the sector.

For the purpose, a number of radical measures have been taken including assigning the role of Power Sector Coordinator to Wapda Chairman. This move aims at improving performance of the public sector power companies through better administrative control and effective coordination, he added.The Federal Secretary said that electricity situation will improve soon, as arrangements are being made to increase fuel supply to the power houses for maximum utilisation of their generation capacity.

Side by side this, the power sector companies must also improve their performance to provide relief to the consumers. Providing better services to the consumers must be the foremost duty of every distribution company. Prompt redressal of the complaints be ensured through well-equipped customer services centres, he further said.

Referring to the financial health of the power sector, the Federal Secretary asked the power distribution companies to take all possible measures to curb electricity theft, decrease line losses and increase their recoveries. He directed the Chief Executives Officers to adhere to the Ministry’s guidelines vis-à-vis load management in letter and spirit. He also asked the distribution companies for withdrawal of electricity from the National Grid strictly in accordance with their allocated quota so that safety and protection of the system is not compromised.He further directed to improve the transmission lines and overhaul grid stations prior to advent of summer season.

Speaking on the occasion, Wapda Chairman said that better financial management in the companies is a must, so as to make the power sector viable. In order to enhance power generation, he said, increase in efficiency of the power houses will be ensured by monitoring the situation on daily basis. He further said that genuine problems of the officers and officials working in the power sector companies will be promptly resolved. He directed the Chief Executive Officers to promote the culture of public hearing at all levels in their companies. He further elaborated to introduce reward and punishment to improve the functioning of the power companies.

Later, the PEPCO MD made a briefing about the financial issues of the power sector. Chief Executive Officers of the companies also made deliberations about various issues including load management, power theft, line losses, recovery position etc