DISCOs chiefs to face axe over nonperformance

ISLAMABAD: Nonperforming chief executive officers (CEOs) of the distribution companies (DISCOs) would be shown the door, if they failed to meet their assigned targets within the stipulated time period, a minister said on Friday.
“Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) will set targets and prepare key performance indicators (KPIs) to gauge the ability of the present CEOs of all the DISCOs,” Sardar Awais Ahmed Khan Laghari, the federal minister for power division, said in a video-meeting with the bosses of the country's electricity distribution companies.
“Action will be taken in case of failure by the next review meeting scheduled by the mid of December 2017.” Laghari also directed the PEPCO to identify senior as well as top performing officers, who could replace the no-performing CEOs, should they fail to measure up to their designated duties.
“The PEPCO should also write a letter to all BODs (boards of directors) to strictly monitor the performance of their respective DISCOs and take strong actions as per the existing rules against those failing toachieve target set out,” the power minister said.
Assuring that Power Division will take all steps to strengthen the BODs, he urged the boards’ members to play their role as described under the law and corporate governance rules. The federal minister made it clear that only performance and merit would prevail and those working hard must get the chance to serve the people.
“The dynamics of power sector must change 180 degrees and it must change accordingly to the aspiration of the consumers,” he said. Laghari argued that consumer services and facilitation was the central point of any CEO’s performance and all other indicators like controlling losses, improving recoveries, and better service delivery must be associated with it. “No political, personal or other kind of influence will work anymore,” Laghari told all the CEOs categorically and added that those looking towards such means should find work elsewhere. Senior officials from Power Division and PEPCO were also present during the meeting.