KERC, NTA Lokoja Partner On Electricity Reforms, Consumer Awareness

The Kogi State Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Lokoja, have agreed to strengthen collaboration to enhance public awareness of electricity sector reforms, consumer rights and obligations across the state.

KERC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Ibrahim Sunday Abdwaaris, stated this when the management of NTA Lokoja paid him a courtesy visit at the commission’s headquarters in Lokoja.

Abdwaaris said effective regulation of the electricity market in Kogi State would depend largely on strategic collaboration with the media to educate residents on electricity tariffs, metering, consumer rights and complaint resolution mechanisms.

He commended NTA Lokoja for its support since the establishment of the commission, stressing that sustained public enlightenment was critical to the success of the state’s electricity reforms.

“The success of electricity regulation in Kogi State depends on media collaboration to educate citizens on their rights, tariffs, metering and complaint resolution mechanisms. No regulator can succeed in isolation. For our policies and regulations to have impact, the people must understand the commission, and this can only be achieved through the media,” he said.

The KERC boss also lauded Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for what he described as his visionary leadership in establishing the commission and providing the necessary support for the development and regulation of the state’s electricity market.

He proposed areas of collaboration with NTA Lokoja, including public enlightenment campaigns, town hall meetings, documentaries and interactive phone-in programmes to deepen public understanding of electricity sector reforms.

According to him, the commission will ensure timely dissemination of accurate information while leveraging the station’s reach to promote electricity market development across Lokoja, Ankpa, Kabba, Idah, Okene, Ajaokuta, Adavi, Ogori-Magongo and other parts of the state.

Responding to the challenge of inadequate power supply affecting NTA Lokoja’s transmission facility at Mount Patti, Abdwaaris assured that the commission would engage Kogi Electricity Distribution Limited (KEDL) and the state government to facilitate the restoration of electricity to the station.

Earlier, the General Manager of NTA Lokoja, Alhaji Yahaya Adam, commended KERC for its efforts in improving electricity supply and strengthening consumer protection across the state.

He said the noticeable improvement in electricity supply in many communities reflected effective service delivery, describing it as a significant departure from the prolonged blackouts experienced in previous years.

Adam also described the establishment of KERC by Governor Ododo as a major step towards strengthening electricity regulation, attracting investment and expanding access to reliable power supply in Kogi State.

He, however, decried the inability of the station to sustain 24-hour broadcasting due to the prolonged disconnection of its transmission facility at Mount Patti, which he said had persisted for over two decades.

The NTA general manager appealed to KERC to facilitate the provision of a dedicated electricity line by KEDL to the transmission station to improve broadcast quality and expand coverage of government activities.

As part of the partnership, Adam announced that NTA Lokoja would provide one hour of free airtime every week on its Coast to Coast programme to sensitise residents on the functions and services of KERC.