The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has advised the Gombe State Government to take advantage of electricity generation potentials in the
state by partnering with private investors to build electricity generating plants using available fuel sources to solve electric power supply shortage in the state.
The acting Chairman of the Commission, Dr. Anthony Akah, mni, gave this advice during a courtesy call on the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. James Pisagi, who stood in for the State Governor, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankwanbo, ahead of the commissioning of Gombe Forum Office on Wednesday.
The Forum Office is the second stage in the three levels redress mechanism established by the Commission to handle electricity complaints not satisfactorily handled at the customer care unit of the electricity distribution companies.
He said that the Commission’s regulations on Embedded Generation, Independent Electricity Distribution Network and Investment in Distribution Electricity Network would assist states and local governments to partner with electricity distribution companies in increasing power supply to their residents.
Some of the small hydro potentials in Gombe State that could be developed for small hydro power plants include the Dadinkowa and Balanga dams. This is in addition to the solar energy and coal potentials available in the state.
Akah at the Forum Office commissioning said, “The Commission observes with great concern the poor electricity infrastructural network in this environment, which poses great danger to lives and properties of indigenes of the state.”
He frowned at the quality of service being rendered by Jos Electricity Distribution Company (JEDCO) when he said that incidences of five injuries, four fatalities and over 400 complaints from electricity customers recorded within the first half of 2016 was not a good record for the utility company.
“These are unacceptable statistics. It is hoped and expected that with the establishment of this Customer Complaint Forum Office in Gombe, electricity customers who are dissatisfied with Jos Electricity Distribution Company can seek further solace in the existence of the Forum Office,” Akah said.
He enjoined members of the Forum to be dispassionate in the discharge of their responsibilities even as he encouraged electricity customers in the state to make use of the redress mechanism rather resort to the cumbersome and expensive judicial process or take the laws into their hands when dealing with staff of JEDCO.
Meanwhile, Pisagi expressed enthusiasm on the advice from the Commission for the state to seek private sector collaboration in developing renewable energy sources in the state even as he promised to give adequate report to the State Governor on his return.
He said that the state would appreciate proper guidance and assistance from the Commission to tap into electricity potentials in the state.
The Executive Director, Marketing, JEDC, Mr. Ver Jibo said that the company would scale up its operations to meet expectations of the customers within its coverage areas which include Benue, Bauchi, Gombe and Plateau States.