FCCPC describes relationship between electricity consumers, DisCos as OPPRESIVE, says NESI “can’t survive in that mode”
Oredola Adeola
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has described the relationship between electricity consumers and Distribution Companies (DisCos) as oppressive, insisting that the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) cannot endure long-term or generationally in that mode.
Babatunde Irukera, the Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of FCCPC, made this known on Wednesday in Ibadan, Oyo State capital, at the Day One of the FCCPC Electricity Consumer Complaint Resolution Platform, for customers under Ibadan Electricity Company, IBEDC franchise area.
EnergyDay gathered that the Electricity Consumer Complaint Resolution Platform, organised by the FCCPC with support from the MacArthur Foundation, commenced on Wednesday, October 11, and is scheduled to end on Saturday, October 14, 2023.
The platform, which is conducted periodically around the country, was initiated to address electricity consumers’ billing, metering, transformer, connection, disconnection, customer service, and other issues in IBEDC coverage areas.
Babatunde Irukera EVC/CEO, FCCPC in his address at the platform in Ibadan emphatically said, “The apt way to describe the relationship between consumers and DisCos is oppressive. No business can endure long-term or generationally in that mode.
“We must change that narrative by being sensitive, responsive & transparent with consumers.”
“One of the most significant complaints of electricity consumers has always been how they are being treated by the electricity distribution companies.
“So, we created this platform where we bring our team of complaint resolution specialists and ensure that the service provider also brings its customer service operatives.
“We sit for a few days, resolve as many complaints as we can, engage the stakeholders, identify problems, and work out solutions.”
In his response concerning the possibility of sanctions if the electricity distribution company is found to have violated the rules and regulations stipulated by law, Irukera confirmed that some of the complaints raised during the session may lead to sanctions.
He however noted that the sanctions may not be immediately served to the DisCo at the session. He said,” These matters are taken to appropriate quarters for additional analysis and regulatory processes. The real focus of the platform is for electricity consumers to bring problems to potential solutions.”
Ondaje Ijagwu, Head of Public Relations at FCCPC, in his comment said that the Electricity Consumer Complaint Resolution Platform is a one-stop shop for addressing electricity consumers’ billing, metering, transformer, connection, disconnection, customer service, and other issues in IBEDC coverage areas.
Key stakeholders represented at the event include staff of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission(NERC), IBEDC, electricity consumers in Ibadan, and other concerned groups.
