NERC inaugurates electricity consumers’ complaints committee

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has in Abuja inaugurated committees to handle electricity supply complaints in its Benin, Jos and Yola offices.

The NERC Chairman, Dr Sam Amadi, who inaugurated the committees, said that they were charged with the responsibility of resolving disputes between electricity consumers and service providers.

“ This forum provides opportunity for consumers to have their complaints addressed in an effective manner. You know there will always be some degree of complaints and conflicts in this kind of market. Our hope is that the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) will do very well to improve their operations to minimize these complaints,’’ he said.

He said the forum members were stakeholders knowledgeable in electricity market, drawn from each state to ensure fairness and diligence in electricity supply process in their areas.

According to him, the forum is expected to protect electricity consumers from exploitation by service providers which may arise as a result of billing system, metering, connectivity, and transformer issues. He urged consumers to take advantage of offices of the forum in their areas to address their complaints over power distribution by the companies. He congratulated members of the forum, and urged them to be fair in adjudicating all issues.

He said NERC had evolve legal framework to enforce the decisions of the forum, and urged them not to be “toothless dog’’ in handling the numerous complaints from consumers. The members were drawn from the Consumer Protection Council, Manufactures Association of Nigeria, Non-Governmental Organisations, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mining and Agriculture, among others.