NERC and Civil Societies Partner for Affordable and Reliable Electricity
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has as its goal the provision of electricity availability, affordability, safe and reliable supply as reiterated in a new partnership with Civil Societies groups in Abuja.
This was at a forum organised in collaboration with a civil society group; Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC) on the 22nd of August, 2013.
The interactive meeting was aimed at bridging the gap between the Commission and the consumer.
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The Commission Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi was categorical in describing as false the notion that the tariff has been set up solely to benefit investors, rather the Commission is working at providing the much needed electricity.
We are very clear about our obligation to the people because we are here to work for the consumer.
Amadi appealed for trust We want to create a relationship of trust he said.� This being the reason it endorsed the Freedom of Information Bill (FoIB) because NERC recognises the peoples' right to know.
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According to him, civil society groups were consulted in the process leading up to the new tariff, and are still being consulted because of the high regards the Commission accords them.
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He allayed fears concerning the new owners when the privatisation process eventually wraps up by declaring NERC will not sit back and let the new owners exploit you, Amadi pledged.
Managing Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center, Auwal Ibrahim Musa lamented the collapse of what used to be thriving industries in the country, as a result of power supply challenges and called for joint efforts to see to their resuscitation.
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He said that the manufacturing sector has been identified to make high use of electricity, approximately 2000 MegaWatts to keep the factories running.
Rafsanjani was of the view that� urgent� action was needed� to save companies from collapse, as huge sums of money , about 50 per cent generated incomes were spent on fuelling generators.
He noted that electricity availability and affordability has become the bane in the progress of any nation the development of various sectors of the economy, such as industry, agriculture, health, education and tourism depends heavily on available, adequate and economically priced power.
Rafsanjani urged the Commission to protect consumers from being exploited by their service providers, but at the same time appealed to the public to be patient and be supportive of the Commissions efforts.��
Maryam Yaya Abubakar - Head, Media
email: mabubakar@nercng.org