Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Monday in Abuja presented the much awaited regulations on ‘Eligible Customer’ to the Hon. Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, SAN.
The brief presentation ceremony which was held at the Headquarters of the Ministry in Mabushi, Abuja had in attendance a team from the ministry, led by the Hon. Minister on the government side, and commissioners as well as other officials of NERC, led by the Vice Chairman, Engr Sanusi Garba.
Eyes Of Lagos gathered that, In his short remark, Fashola who noted that the presentation of the regulation was a very welcome development as it will help in boosting power supply, urged NERC to equally expedite action on meter regulation which he said is what everybody is waiting to hear about.
“While this regulation is important, I think the one that everybody is waiting for is the regulation on meters. You promised that earlier and I do hope that in a couple of weeks you may share that with us,” the Minister said.
Assuring NERC of independence in carrying out its regulatory activities, Fashola who stressed the need for the regulator and the government to work together in the overall interest of the sector, said it is important for the public to note that the regulation presented by NERC is meant to give effect to government’s declaration of eligible customer much earlier in line with the provisions in the Act governing the sector.
The Minister declared four classes of eligible customer in May, 2017, which later underwent some modifications last October.
Fashola equally stressed the need for the public to know that the presentation of rules on eligible is one step among others that are inherent in the Power Sector Recovery Programme.
Speaking, the Vice Chairman of NERC, Engr Garba said after due consultations with stakeholders throughout the six geo-political zones of the country and with inputs from USAID to know how other emerging economies fare with eligible customer policy, the NERC Commissioners met on the 1st of November and approved the regulation being presented to the Minister.
