10 September 2014, Lagos – Minister of Power, Professor Chinedu Nebo, yesterday assured Nigerians that the Federal Government was determined to ensure stable and affordable electricity supply in the country.
Nebo gave the assurance at the commissioning of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, Forum Office to handle disputes between the Jos Electricity Distribution Plc and stakeholders.
Represented by Mrs. Bola Laditan, the minister urged electricity consumers to take advantage of the forum’s office to address their complaints as the office was set up to ensure industrial harmony among others.
According to the minister, “this event is one of the milestones in the regulatory functions of the power sector. Adequate and quality supply is the key to the industrialisation, wealth creation and general economic growth of our nation.
“Nigeria has taken very bold steps in ensuring power sustainability in the country. The forum office in Jos is to give confidence to the electricity consumers and serve as a platform for resolution of all community related issues.”
Also speaking, Governor Jonah Jang, who was represented by Commissioner for Water Resources and Energy, Mr. Idi Waziri, appreciated the effort but lamented lack of effective rural electrification which could benefit a larger population of the masses.
He said: “It is in the pursuance of rural electrification that the government is already working with a private organisation to construct a power plant at Shimankar. In the next few weeks, the government will be signing a memorandum of understanding with GIZ to partner in providing among other things solar energy in Plateau.”
Jang called on the regulatory body to look into the issue of adequate provision of prepaid meters so that consumer would know and be sure of what he or she was paying so that extortion, exploitation and distrust be avoided.
– Vanguard