THE Federal government, today, called on the management of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to prioritise the resolution of consumer complaints to accelerate service delivery in the sector.
The minister of Power, Abubakar Aliyu, who gave the directive at the official launch of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) Service Charter in Abuja, said the ministry would join hands with the Commission to ensure efficient service delivery to power consumers.
Aliyu noted that the effective implementation of the Service Charter would improve services for electricity consumers.
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As part of activities for the launch, the NERC also inaugurated its in-house SERVICOM committee.
Service Charter is an operational tool to guide service providers on their responsibilities, as well as service takers and customers on their expectations.
Aliyu, who was represented by a Director from the ministry, Titilayo Agbeyo, charged the Commission to be customer-focused and citizen-centered in rendering services to Nigerians.
“I, therefore, encourage the commission to be customer-focused and citizen-centred, and to continue the good work the Commission is doing as we join hands to upgrade our services in the power sector in service to humanity.
“On this note, it is important to point out that an effective implementation of this Charter will definitely improve services, educate on the rights and obligations of electricity consumers, address complaints through the redress mechanism put in place, improve staff competencies, skills, productivity, and human resources administration, and produce result-based performances,” he added.
Speaking shortly after she launched the Service Charter, the National Coordinator of SERVICOM, Nnenna Akajemeli, said the document would lead to effective service delivery in the power sector, and called on the NERC to be ready for the increase in Nigeria’s requests and complaints.
Akajemeli disclosed that with the document, her office would hold NERC accountable, and asked the Commission to follow it to the letter for effective and efficient service delivery in the power sector.
Earlier, the NERC chairman, Sanusi Garba, had affirmed the Commission’s commitment to the charter’s implementation.
Also speaking, the NERC Commissioner of Consumer Affairs Division, Aisha Mahmud, said the Commission had always engaged in quality service delivery to Nigerians, promising that with the launch of the charter, the NERC would redouble its commitment to standard and efficient service delivery.
Harrison Edeh is a journalist with the International Centre for Investigative Reporting, always determined to drive advocacy for good governance through holding public officials and businesses accountable.