The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) will henceforth sanction Distribution Companies (DisCos) and other offenders who fail to comply with extant rules and regulations in the electricity industry.
Mr Babatunde Irukera, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Commission, who disclosed this at the Electricity Consumer Complaint Resolution Platform organised by FCCPCin Nasarawa State,said that non-compliance of DisCos with the regulations of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) is a bane in the industry.
According to him,non-adherence to NERC’s standards of performance, orders and codes by DisCos was also a challenge in the sector,adding that electricity related issues ranging from poor service delivery in the industry was the highest category of consumer complaints received by the Commission.
Some of the complaints to include over-billing, metering, transformer issues, connection, illegal and mass disconnections and poor customer service, among others.
He implored power distribution companies to exhibit more commitment to compliance with NERC’s regulations.
He added:”The FCCPC has been working with NERC, Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) and other stakeholders to resolve salient consumer issues in the industry.The council on its part has resolved to henceforth punish offenders who fail to comply with extant rules and regulations in the electricity industry,” he said.
He explained that the programme was aimed at providing an opportunity for consumers and the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) to resolve outstanding and emerging electricity complaints under the supervision of regulators.
Speaking,Mr Zubair Babatunde, the Assistant General Manager, Consumer Education of NERC, stated that that buying transformers was not the responsibility of electricity consumers.
He said the issues around the purchase of transformers and other electricity equipment by customers would be resolved before the end of the programme.
He added:”I have heard people complaining about the issue of meters.NERC is working on that even the Federal Government to give people meters.All issues around metering, over-billing will be resolved before we leave here,” he assured.
Speaking. Mr Usman Momoh, the Assistant General Manager, Technical Inspectorate Services of NEMSA, said that technical safety was key in the electricity industry.
He commended FCCPC for the programme saying it was an opportunity to interact with electricity consumers on a one-on-one basis.
Momoh advised electricity consumers to avoid meters without NEMSA seal or logo adding that those were not certified by the agency.
Mr Donald Etim, the Chief Marketing Officer, AEDC, said the company was at the programmme to resolve electricity issues of consumers within its catchment areas.
He assured customers that the company would resolve all electricity related complaints brought at the programmme.
