Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has unveiled a charter aimed at improving services in the power sector for the benefit of the power-consuming public, including reducing the time it takes to install prepaid meters to 10 days.
The unveiling of the charter, in collaboration with Service Compact, SERVICOM, took place recently in Abuja and is expected to promote and ensure an investor-friendly industry and efficient market structure to meet the need of Nigerians for safe, adequate, reliable and affordable electricity.
Under the charter, NERC ordered electricity distribution companies (Discos) operating in the country to improve their services.
For instance, they are now to connect and install meters for new customers within 10 days after a written request is made by such customers.
The Minister of Power, Mr Abubakar Aliyu, who was represented at the launch by the Director of the Reform Coordination and Service Improvement Department at the ministry, Mrs Titilayo Agbeyo, said the charter would also provide information on how the commission can comment on its service, including how to lodge complaints, give compliments and make suggestions.
He said: “The service charter is therefore crucial to the management and staff of this employment to continually improve on service delivery.
“It provides information on how the commission renders services, including how to lodge complaints, give compliments and make suggestions.
“The essence of service charter cannot be overemphasised, in view of the achievement of the mandate, goal and objective.
“This charter provides information to the general public on the function and services rendered by the commission to the agencies and private companies whose activities it monitors.”
The Minister also stated that the implementation of the charter would improve the industry services and elevate the rights and regulations of electricity consumers.
He added: “An effective implementation of this charter will definitely improve services, elevate the rights and regulations of electricity consumers, address complaints through the redress mechanisms in place, increase staff competency and skills, productivity and human resources administration as well as result-based performances.”
