The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) at the weekend said it had ordered four electricity distribution companies (Discos) to pay fines amounting to N27.41 million due to what it called “failure to treat customers’ complaints and submit statutory quarterly reports,” BusinessDay reports.
In a statement issued by Mike Faloseyi, its communication specialist, NERC said that the actions of the affected Discos constituted a breach of their licensing terms and conditions as provided in the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (2005) and regulations of the commission. Two of the erring companies, Port Harcourt and Enugu Discos were sanctioned for their failure to submit quarterly reports on their key performance indicators, whereas Ibadan and Ikeja Discos were fined over failure to attend to customers’ complaints severally referred to them.
The power sector regulator in various directives communicated to the Discos in question said the erring licencees should pay fines of various sums within two weeks, beginning from July 25, 2016 when the directives were signed by Anthony Akah, the acting chairman of NERC, and Olufunke Dinneh, who is the general manager, legal, licensing and enforcement of the commission. It also warned that failure to pay the recommended fines within the stipulated period would attract five per cent daily interests until remedial steps are taken