NERC battles DISCOs over transformer purchase

•Tells consumers to report DISCOS

From Emmanuel Uzor, Awka

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has taken a step over continued complaints against the Distribution Companies (DISCOs) over the purchase of transformers and called on electricity consumers in Anambra State to report any request by officials of the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) for the purchase of transformers, cables or poles.

NERC Commissioner for Stakeholders Management, Hajiya Aisha Mahmud, represented by the Head of Consumer Protection, Dr. Zubairu Babatunde while addressing electricity consumers in Awka during a town hall meeting said such items are investments of the distribution companies and not the responsibility of consumers.

She said reports of such incidents should be documented and forwarded to NERC for prompt action.

“NERC regulates the operations of the distribution companies and ensures customers are not short-changed. If consumers are dissatisfied with services, they should channel their complaints appropriately. We are also here to listen to your concerns and for the DISCOS to respond directly,” Mohammed said.

Issues raised at the meeting included metering, billing, electricity supply and service quality. NERC officials, who will be in the state for three days, also supervised the acquisition of prepaid meters during the exercise. Consumers were assured they would receive their meters within the period.

The Chief Information Officer of EEDC, Dr. Idika Okechukwu, representing the company’s Managing Director, said a meter laboratory has been established in Onitsha to fast-track installations.

He assured that any consumer who pays for a meter would have it installed within 72 hours.

Okechukwu added that 750,000 of the 1,365,400 electricity consumers in Anambra State had been metered, and the company remained committed to complying with the NERC’s metering regulations.

He further disclosed that EEDC would introduce an offline bill payment system before the end of the month to make payment easier for customers.