DisCos Restructuring: Group seeks protection of electricity consumers’ rights
Association for Public Policy Analysis (APPA), a Civil Society Organisation (CSO), has urged the federal government to protect the rights of electricity consumers.
The national president of APPA, Princewill Okorie, spoke against the backdrop of the recent plan by Fidelity Bank to take over the boards of Kano, Benin and Kaduna Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and to collateralise their shares.
The director-general, Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE), Alex Okoh, and the executive chairman, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Sanusi Garba, made the development known in a joint statement issued in Abuja recently.
Mr Okorie said there was a need for the federal government to set up a committee to monitor consumer interest following the development.
“What had been existing all this while is that section 80 and 81 of the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act has been silent.
“We found out that implementation of sections 80 and 81 of the Electricity Power Sector Reform Act that deal with electricity consumer protection and licensee performance standards are not well enforced.
“You see a situation where consumers pay for electricity not supplied and their rights abused.
“If the bank wants to recover their money, the consumers also want to recover the money that they have been cheated for,” he said.
Mr Okorie called on the Consumer Protection Council and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to ensure everything was done to protect electricity consumers.
He also appealed to power stakeholders to ensure a stable power supply to reduce the cost of production of goods and services.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
World
Japan launches H3 rocket with defence communication satellite
The satellite is aimed at enhancing information sharing among Japan’s self-defence forces.
States
PDP rejects Cross River LG poll results, heads to court
Mr Ikem described what transpired to be a well-orchestrated rigging plan.
World
Moldovan President Maia Sandu secures second term in run-off election
Mr Sandu secured about 54 per cent of votes, according to preliminary results from the commission.
NationWide
Appeal Court acquits ex-CJN Onnoghen on false asset declaration, unfreezes account
Mr Onnoghen was removed from office by former President Muhammadu Buhari just before the 2019 general elections.
States
Court summons Omobayo over alleged refusal to vacate Edo deputy governorship position
Mr Omobayo was, on April 8, sworn in as the new deputy governor after Mr Shaibu’s impeachment.
World
Security personnel rescue two kidnapped school children in southern Afghanistan
The capital of the province, a fortnight ago, Mr Jamshidi said.