Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) in conjunction with the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Agency (NERA) have been called upon to ensure that Nigerians get fair hearing from complaints over reported issues over electricity consumption.
The call was made by many people who had complaints against the activities of the Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDC).
It was during the closing of a four-day electricity consumer complaint resolution platform organised by the FCCPC supported by the MacArthur Foundation held weekend in Bauchi.
Electricity consumers in Bauchi State had the opportunity to present their grievances regarding electricity supply from the Jos electricity distribution company during the meeting.
Most of the consumers expressed disappointment over the issue of estimated billing, delay in delivery of electricity meter after payment, communities buying and paying for transformer installation among others.
Though they came in to the meeting looking furious with files on hand, most of them left smiling after the issues where addressed by staff from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, Nigeria electricity regularly agency and the Nigeria electricity management agency and JEDC.
One of the consumers, Prof. Abubakar Yusuf, in Bauchi metropolis said he could not believe what he got after presenting his complaint.
According to him, “I had an accumulated bill of N600,000, because I am being charged between N90, 000 to N95, 000 per month, but after presenting my case, I was well attended to and I am leaving this place a satisfied consumer”.
Another person, Tanko Dutse of Yelwa area of Bauchi, said he had the intention of dragging the distribution company to court, but halted the move when he heard about the platform.
Tanko Dutse added, “I wanted to challenge the distribution company for tampering on my rights to electricity, but when I came here, my issues were well attended to. I commend the Commission for this platform.”
Acting Executive Chairman of the FCCPC, Adamu Abdullah, said electricity supply was key to the day to day running of an individual’s life.
He stressed that, that was why the Commission decided to intervene as there were constant complaints about poor services from electricity distribution companies across the country.
