The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has stated that communities who are facing faulty transformers or electricity poles could get them fixed while entering into agreements with Distribution companies (DisCo) in their area.
Speaking during an enlightenment and protection workshop for staff of Federal Electricity Consumers Enlightenment and Protection Workshop for staff of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the National Orientation Agency (NOA), NERC’s Principal Manager of Market Competition and Rates, Chigozie Valerie Azikiwe, stated that such scenario makes the community an investor in the Discos.
Azikiwe said they can be paid back through energy units of the same value they spent.
She however said before any community engages in such a project, they need to have an agreement with the DisCo from the beginning to the end of the project.
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“In terms of repayment, there is a process. One mistake a lot of people make is to purchase transformers or poles without discussing with their DisCo. The right process is to talk to the DisCo before purchasing the transformer. The repayment is not cash. What is obtainable now is energy credit, but you must follow the process of engaging the network owner from day one.”
Also, NERC’s Assistant Manager on Consumer Affairs, while calling on participants to be champions in informing consumers to follow the right process, noted that consumers don’t know regulations to protect their rights.
He said when communities fix their transformers, it is a form of investment as the DisCos are expected to repair it.
“However, if a DisCo agrees for the community to fix it, it should be clearly spelt out that it is covered as an investment, what it costs and the repayment, if an agreement of investment is in place and the DisCo doesn’t honour it, you can seek redress from NERC.
“If a DisCo doesn’t implement the ruling of the Forum Office, NERC imposes fines on them of up to N10,000 daily.”
