NERC Targets 5 States for Power Consumer Assembly

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has earmarked five states for Power Consumer Assembly (PCA) before the end of this year. NERC’s Commissioner in charge of Government and Consumer Affairs, Dr. Abba Ibrahim, who gave this indication at a recent PCA held in Ibadan, also identified the States to include Kebbi; Akwa Ibom; Taraba; Ebonyi and Jigawa.

Abba assured electricity consumers that the agency had not lost its focus in the drive to achieve a balancing act, particularly as enshrined in the Electric Sector Power Reform (ESPR) Acts 2005. He told participants that NERC would not relent in sensitizing electricity consumers of their rights and responsibility as consumers as well as to the service provider.

The PCA though, spearheaded by NERC, often has in attendance the chief executive officer and management staff of the distribution zone where the forum is being held. It is one of the deliberate and strategic means by which the commission brings the service provider face-to-face with the electricity consumer to tackle issues bordering on electricity. NERC views electricity consumers as important stakeholders in the scheme of things concerning the power industry that should be protected from the service provider. Power Consumer Assemblies are avenues NERC uses to meet and interact with consumers across the country including the staff of electricity utility companies, the civil society, among others.