Vandalism: Power drops below 2,800mw – NERC

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has said that power supply through the national grid which peaked at 5000mw in the past two weeks had dropped to below 2,800mw due to vandalism.

Dr. Anthony Akah, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the commission, disclosed this while signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Consumer Protection Council (CPC).

A statement issued on the ceremony by Dr. Usman Abba- Arabi, Head, Public Affairs Department of NERC on Wednesday in Abuja.

In the statement, Akah expressed dissatisfaction and worries over the spate of vandalism in the power sector.

It stated that the NERC boss enjoined the public and the CPC to collaborate with Distribution Companies (DisCos) and security agencies to safeguard electrical installations.

The statement also said that the NERC would soon compel the DisCos to publish their meter deployment schedules.

It added that the publication would ensure adherence to the meter roll out plan contained in the performance agreement signed with government by the utility firms.

“Such publication will make unmetered customers to be aware of the estimated period they have to wait before they can be metered,’’ it stated

It stated that NERC had issued warnings to the DisCos against wrongful estimated billings and the acts of compelling customers to buy, install and repair transformers and poles.

The statement said the MoU between NERC and CPC was part of concerted efforts to reduce the incidences of estimated billing.

According to the statement, the Director General of CPC, Mrs. Modupe Atoki, commended NERC for the long standing relationship between the two agencies.

It said Atoki expressed CPC’s cooperation and renewed effort to protect electricity consumers from abuse of their rights.