Enugu, Nigeria — The South East Electricity Consumers Association (SEECA) has called for the adoption of a structured compensation framework for electricity consumers in the region, following the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) recent approval of compensation for eligible Band A customers affected by power supply disruptions.
NERC had approved compensation for Band A customers impacted by grid generation constraints between February and March 2026, a decision SEECA described as a “progressive, consumer-focused intervention” aimed at protecting electricity users without destabilising the electricity market.
Speaking in Enugu on Monday, SEECA Coordinator, Dr. Sebastine Chukwuebukalz Okafor, said the regulatory move reflects the need to balance consumer protection with the operational realities facing electricity distribution companies (DisCos).
“The decision demonstrates the importance of balancing consumer protection with the operational realities facing distribution companies,” Okafor said.
He noted that the supply shortfalls during the period were largely caused by gas constraints and vandalism of critical energy infrastructure, factors beyond the direct control of DisCos, making compensation a more appropriate response than automatic tariff downgrades.
According to him, the compensation model—which includes token credits for prepaid customers and bill adjustments for postpaid users—offers relief while maintaining stability in the electricity billing structure.
Okafor stressed that while SEECA supports accountability in the power sector, compensation should be prioritised in cases where service disruptions stem from systemic national challenges rather than distribution company failures.
He urged the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC) and other regulators in the South-East to adopt similar consumer protection frameworks, warning against routine downgrading of tariff bands as a response to supply deficits.
“Such actions could create technical and administrative challenges in electricity distribution and negatively affect consumers,” he warned.
The SEECA coordinator further emphasized that sustainable electricity reform requires a balance between consumer welfare, market stability, and investment confidence, adding that transparent compensation mechanisms would strengthen trust in the sector.
He reaffirmed SEECA’s readiness to collaborate with regulators, distribution companies, and stakeholders to promote fairness, improved service delivery, and sustainable electricity access across the South-East.
