FENRAD calls for transparency as Abia takes over electricity regulation from NERC

Nkem Ukaegbu, Umuahia

Foundation for Environmental Rights Advocacy & Development (FENRAD) has urged transparency, accountability and enhanced consumer protection as regulatory authority over Abia State’s electricity market formally shifts from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to the newly established Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA).

According to the Executive Director, FENRAD), Comrade Nelson Nnanna Nwafor, the transition, enabled by the constitutional decentralisation of electricity regulation and operationalised through the Abia State Electricity Law, marks a significant milestone toward improving power sector governance and service delivery in the state.

FENRAD recognized the potential benefits of decentralised electricity regulation, including faster resolution of consumer complaints, improved regulatory oversight, increased investor confidence, and better alignment of electricity services with Abia State’s development priorities.

Bringing regulation closer to the people presents an opportunity to address long-standing challenges in metering, billing, reliability, and consumer protection.

However, FENRAD emphasised that the success of this transition will depend on strong governance principles—particularly transparency, accountability, inclusiveness, and fairness—being firmly embedded in ASERA’s operations from the outset.

Accordingly, FENRAD calls on ASERA and the Abia State Government to take the following actions; all regulatory decisions—including licensing, tariff setting, metering policies, and enforcement actions—should be guided by clear rules, publicly accessible information, and open processes to prevent abuse, inefficiency, and corruption.

ASERA should establish regular and structured consultations with electricity consumers, civil society organisations, community representatives, traditional institutions, electricity service providers, and the private sector to promote participatory and responsive regulation.

Robust consumer protection mechanisms must be put in place to safeguard low-income households and small businesses from arbitrary tariffs, estimated billing, and poor service quality. Effective complaint resolution systems should be accessible and responsive.

While tariffs should be cost-reflective to sustain the sector, they must also be fair and socially sensitive. ASERA should prioritise universal access to prepaid meters to eliminate estimated billing and improve trust between consumers and service providers.

Electricity generation and infrastructure projects in Abia State must comply with environmental laws, climate commitments, and community rights to prevent environmental degradation, health risks, and social conflict.

ASERA must operate independently, free from undue political or corporate influence, to effectively regulate the electricity market in the public interest and ensure a level playing field for all operators.

FENRAD reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring developments in the Abia State electricity market and engaging constructively with ASERA, the Abia State Government, and other stakeholders to promote sustainable, inclusive, and rights-based electricity governance.