From David Onuoja, Abuja
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has taken a significant step towards ensuring transparency and the stakeholder’s engagement in the electricity sector.
The Commission, on Wednesday, held a public hearing on the application submitted by Aba Power Limited Electricity (APLE), for an upward review of its electricity tariff.
The hearing, which took place at the NERC’s headquarters in Abuja, brought together stakeholders, business owners, and residents from Aba. The public hearing is part of NERC’s statutory obligation to ensure that any tariff review is fair and reflects the realities on the ground .
During the hearing, representatives from APLE, led by the Managing Director, Barr. Ugochukwu Opiegbo, outlined the reasons behind the application. They emphasised the need for increased revenue to sustain and enhance power infrastructure and service delivery in Aba, Abia State.
However, stakeholders at the public hearing raised some critical issues, particularly, concerning the need for improved customer service and better quality of service delivery.
In response, APLE assured stakeholders of their commitment to addressing the concerns raised.
NERC Vice Chairman, Musiliu Oseni, who Chair the hearing, reiterated the Commission’s commitment to balancing the interests of consumers and service providers.
He assured stakeholders that their input would play a pivotal role in determining the outcome of the tariff review application.
This public hearing is a significant step towards ensuring that the interests of all stakeholders are taken into account in the tariff review process.
As NERC continues to review the submissions made during the hearing, it is clear that the commission is committed to transparency and stakeholder engagement.