By Stella Odueme
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has endorsed the Minister of Power, Chief Joseph Tegbe’s call for stronger coordination among stakeholders in the Nigerian Electricity Market (NEM), saying closer collaboration is essential to delivering reliable electricity supply to Nigerians.
In a press statement signed by the Commission on Sunday, NERC said the Minister made the call during a stakeholders’ workshop held in Abuja, with the theme: “Legal, Policy and Regulatory Harmonisation between Federal and State Institutions on the Decentralisation of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).”
According to the Commission, the Minister stressed the need to harmonise regulatory and operational activities across the electricity sector to ensure that all market participants work towards expanding access to stable and reliable power, which he described as critical to national development.
Speaking at the workshop, NERC Chairman, Dr. Musiliu Oseni, aligned with the Minister’s position, urging federal and state institutions to strengthen cooperation as Nigeria transitions to a multi-tier electricity market.
Oseni noted that electricity consumers are more concerned with receiving reliable and uninterrupted power than with knowing which institution is responsible for regulation or policymaking.
He called on regulators, policymakers and industry players to set aside personal interests, embrace dialogue and work collectively to improve electricity service delivery across the country.
The NERC Chairman also proposed the establishment of a more structured platform for regular policy and regulatory engagement between the Federal Government and state governments.
He suggested that the National Council on Power (NACOP) be reformed to facilitate more frequent and focused meetings with state commissioners responsible for power.
According to him, such engagements would enhance policy coordination, strengthen implementation and provide regular opportunities for resolving issues arising from the ongoing decentralisation of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
