For businesses to be successful, there needs to be some level of hard work and monitoring to guarantee that the right things are being done. When organisations lack a framework that ensures that assigned projects are carried out effectively, there is bound to be neglect.
In collaboration with the Association for Public Policy Analysis, the Electricity hub organised a Consumer Engagement Forum in Anambra state to assess the status of electricity transformers projects awarded by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA). The meeting hosted members of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA).
Electricity customers at the forum lamented the lack of access to electricity as a major challenge to the state’s economic stability. Some community members complained of being in total darkness as no transformer had been deployed to them. Other customers stated that the transformers delivered to their community for the past two years are yet to be energised, and this has given room for their vandalisation. A key finding was that almost all customers had been asked to contribute to the provision and repair of electricity infrastructure at one point in time.
The representative of REA enlightened the people that it was not their responsibility to purchase electricity infrastructure and should report to the NERC’s zonal office if they are being tasked with such payments. He noted that all REA-deployed transformers had been paid for in full by the Federal Government.
He further announced that ten (10) projects were allotted to the state under the 2020/2021 fiscal years. Of the ten projects, seven transformers under two projects have been completed and energised; 3 transformers under three have been installed but yet to be energised. He emphasised that their major challenge was the distribution company (EEDC) in energising installed transformers on time.
Also obvious from the engagement was the lack of a monitoring team to supervise the operations of the contractors and distribution company. This is reflected in the number of projects completed since 2020. The representative from the ICPC urged members not to keep silent when compelled to contribute to the purchase of electricity infrastructure and report cases of vandalism to their zonal unit in the state.
The engagement was enlightening as customers were educated on their rights and responsibilities towards electricity infrastructure and told the right complaints resolutions channels.