NERC, NOA collaborate to protect electricity infrastructure

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on Thursday signed a Memorandum of  Understanding (MOU) with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) to create awareness on safety of electricity infrastructure.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja, the NERC Chairman, Mr Sanusi Garba, said that the MOU would create awareness to stop energy theft and protect electricity infrastructure in the country.

Garba, represented by the Commissioner, Legal, Licensing and Compliance, Dr Dafe Akpeneye, said, “The essence of this partnership is to create a  platform where Nigerians will be  educated on the issues of electricity theft”.

He said that  the Nigerian electricity supply industry required a lot of sensitisation and the commission was collaborating with NOA because the agency had its presence all over the country.

“We are partnering  with you because we know we cannot do this sensitisation on our own. We have a very large country and a population of over 200 million people and 774 Local Government Areas.

“And if we are going to achieve our mandate,  we have to synergise. And in doing this,  we have to identify the right partners to work with.

“ There is no better partner to work with on the field of national communications than NOA. The commission recognises that you have a great and an important role to play.” he said.

Garba said that being a specialised sector, the concern of the populace was to get their energy supply when needed.

On electricity bill, the NERC chairman said that the bill passed by the Senate on Wednesday, portend opportunities for investment in the sector and also consumers’ protection.

“It portends great opportunities for  investing in the sector and greater opportunities for consumer protection of Nigerian customers,” he said.

The Commissioner, Consumers Affairs, NERC,  Mrs Aisha Mahmud, said that the MOU would help to formalise the relationship that had been in existence between the commission and the agency.

In his remarks, the NOA Director-General, Mr Garba Abari, said that the agency look forward to achieving the essence of the agreement.