The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has announced a paradigm shift in its electricity regulation actions, decentalising the key function in 15 states of the federation.
The agency made the policy shift public in a publication on its website as sighed by our correspondent.
NERC describes the latest shift as “a significant milestone under the Electricity Act 2023”, describing it as part of a nationwide effort to decentralize electricity markets and improve service delivery”.
With the latest policy, regulatory oversight for intrastate electricity operations has been formally transferred to 15 states.
“This development marks a shift from a centralized regulatory framework to a more localized system, bringing oversight, complaint management, and service quality monitoring closer to consumers”, the notice said..
What This Means for Consumers
According to the NERC, the implication of electricity decentralization policy are:
- for residents of the states that have completed this transition, the process for addressing electricity-related grievances has changed.
- Consumers in these jurisdictions should no longer direct their complaints to the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), but instead, engage directly with their State Electricity Regulator (SER).
In other words, the local state regulator are now primary point of contact for:
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-Disputed Billing: Inquiries regarding incorrect or estimated bills.
-Metering Delays: Issues surrounding the procurement, installation, or performance of meters.
-Service Quality: Reports of poor customer service from Distribution Companies (DisCos) and complaints regarding power supply reliability, and
-Other Operational Disputes: Any other regulatory matters concerning electricity supply within the state.
States With Active State Electricity Regulators
This new regulatory directive applies to residents of the following 15 states:
- Abia
- Anambra
- Bayelsa
- Edo
- Ekiti
- Enugu
- Imo
- Kogi
- Lagos
- Nasarawa
- Niger
- Ogun
- Ondo
- Oyo
- Plateau
Taking Action
“If you reside in any of the states listed above, please direct all future electricity-related complaints to your respective State Electricity Regulator”, the NERC said.
It added that “This transition is designed to provide faster resolution times and more responsive governance tailored to your state’s specific needs.
“We encourage residents to identify their state regulator’s official contact channels and stay informed about state-specific electricity policies”.
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