Power Outage: Respect Consumers’ Rights, Commission Urges DisCos …PHED Condemns Attacks On Electricity Infrastructure

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, yesterday, urged the electricity distribution companies in Nigeria to respect the rights of electricity consumers, following the recurrent power outage in the country.
Via its official Twitter handle, @fccpcnigeria, the commission said, “During this period of severe electricity shortages and palpable customer dissatisfaction, DisCos must be mindful of their commitments and respect consumers’ rights.
“See slides for highlights of consumer rights under @NERCNG Service-Based Tariff & Meter Asset Provider frameworks.”
The slides displayed by the FCCP read, “Customers shall be billed according to the hours of electricity supplied (approved band classification).
“You have a right to contest the tariff band classification you have been assigned.
“Payment for meters shall not be made if meters are not available.
“The Meter Asset Provider (MAP) shall install the meter at the premises of the customer within 10 working days of payment.’’
Similarly, the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution (PHED) Plc, has condemned the incessant destruction of its electricity facilities by motorists.
The company, therefore, appealed to the general public to help protect critical electricity infrastructures by reporting activities of persons and corporate organisations whose actions were detrimental to the stable power supply in the region.
The utility said the appeal became necessary following the destruction of its electrical installations in Onne by three freight haulage trucks conveying goods from the Port Terminal.
According to a statement made available to newsmen, this incident occurred, on March 29, 2022 on their way to Enugu State en route Igbo Etche.
The company alleged that preliminary investigation revealed that the three haulage vehicles belonged to Gosconsa Nigeria Limited.
The statement further notes that “it is quite regrettable that Gosconsa Nigeria Limited has irresponsibly destroyed electrical assets worth millions of naira in a bid to escape laid down procedures, yet provided military escort for their haulage. Unbelievably, the company claimed to have obtained a haulage permit from sources unknown to PHED”.
Consequently, the matter has since been reported to the police, the freight trucks impounded are under-going investigation.
“The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution is using this opportunity to call on the general public to help protect critical electricity infrastructures by ensuring that activities of persons and corporate organisations whose actions are detrimental to the stable power supply are brought to the knowledge of the relevant authorities”, the statement added.