NERC boss begs Nigerians over epileptic power supply

The Acting Chairman of Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr. Anthony Akah has appealed to Nigerians to show greater understanding and patience with the present administration over the current steady decline in power generation across the country, assuring that with spirited effort by power transmission agencies to address perceived challenges like pipeline vandalisation, and other natural disasters, Nigerians will soon experience incremental power supply

The NERC boss who made the appeal in Abuja on Wednesday, while receiving members of Nigerian Association of Energy Economists led by its President, Wunmi Iledarre said that with several measures being put in place to enhance the operating environment, improvement in power supply will be address in no distant time.

He said, “we ask for a little more patience because it is a complex problem, more power supply are coming into the national grid as newly licensed power agencies are stepping up their operations.’’

On the issue of ‘’crazy billings‘’ and tariff charges by most distribution companies, Dr. Akah, who  acknowledged that the matter is already in the court  said the agency is not unmindful of the concern of Nigerians assuring that the commission has already set out a regulatory mechanism to address the problem.

He further observed that high metering gaps encourages the rampant cases of crazy billings and called on Nigerians to come forward and complain with valid documentary evidence any underhand dealings of any Disco.

Earlier in his remarks, the President of Nigeria Association of Energy Economists commended NERC for their effort in revitalizing the power sector through efficient regulatory activities. He described the commission as critical to growth and development of Nigeria’s economy.

He further maintained that energy consumption must be regulated and that regulation is not a punishment but a design to determine pricing in a monopolistic market.

He said: “Nobody has the power to determine electricity tariff but NERC. If the price of electricity is not right nobody will come to invest in it.’’

Recall that Nigeria witnessed increased power generation last year but since the beginning of 2016, the country has been witnessing epileptic supply with the current supply falling as low as 1,657.02MW.