The Association for Public Policy Analysis (APPA), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has urged the Nigeria Electricity Regulation Commission (NERC) to prioritise consumer protection.

According to the CSO, the aim is to ensure that consumers get value for their money.

Princewill Okorie, the national president of APPA, said this in an interview with journalists in Abuja on Sunday.

Mr Okorie said most electricity consumers were being surcharged, adding that NERC was trying to enforce payment discipline and APPA wished they implemented consumer protection more than payment.

According to him, privatisation without effective consumer protection means capitalists will take over the power sector.

”What is the investment of the DisCos in the sector when the consumers buy poles, wire and other things to give them electricity?

”We want the government to take a look at what the DisCos have invested in infrastructure before it can be said that they have done well,” he said.

Mr Okorie, while commending the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), said that to enhance efficiency, the organisation introduced a cloud-based automated complaint resolution portal.

He said the portal allows seamless receipt, investigation, tracking and resolution of complaints.

”Ten out of the eleven DisCos are currently plugged into the commission’s complaints resolution portal.

”Enabling better visibility and control over electricity consumers complaints,” he said.

(NAN)