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Electricity consumers are important stakeholders in the scheme of things concerning the power industry. They are to be protected from the service provider. This was the message of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to electricity consumers at the recently held Power Consumer Assembly in Umuahia, the Aba state capital on 16TH August, 2012 and in Keffi, Nasarawa state, on 23rd August, 2012 respectively.
Power Consumer Assemblies are avenues the Commission uses to meet and interact with consumers across the country including the staff of electricity utility companies, the civil society among others.
In his remark at the two events, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, NERC, Dr. Sam Amadi assured that NERC was determined to achieve adequate, reliable, safe and affordable electricity in line with international best practice in electricity service delivery. Amadi was emphatic when he stated that the forum remains an avenue for the Commission to inform, enlighten, but more importantly to listen to consumers for the purpose of policy formulation. “We want to both talk and listen to consumers of electricity, that way, the Commission comes up with policy formulations that would further enhance the NERC’s mandate to the consumer” Amadi said.
At the Keffi event, the Commissioner, Government and Consumer Affairs, Dr. Abba Ibrahim was live on Nasarawa state broadcasting service, where he assured that NERC is poised to ensure that the electricity market functions efficiently. According to him, the consumer assembly is a journey to reform the sector.
Also present at the two PCAs were the Commissioners, Finance and Management Services and Legal Licensing and Enforcement, Mr. Patrick Umeh and Dr. Steven Andzenge respectively. The Power Consumer Assembly is an ongoing sensitization and enlightenment program of the Commission. Almost all the states across the six geo-political regions have been covered and the Commission has been receiving positive feedback.
