The number of complaints consumers filed against power distribution companies, also known as DISCO, is more than 3.25 million complaints in five years. Excessive charges, business interruptions, and illegal closures are top of the list of various complaints. The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) analysis of the quarterly reports shows that they resolved a total of 2.89 million complaints, resulting in a resolution rate of 88.92 percent.
During the same period, 430 company and third parties employees died due to 1,528 occupational accidents. It added that the DisCos could not handle complaints escalated to NERC.
NERC’s report not only indicated poor services but also reported 1,528 accidents. Furthermore, 430 workers and third parties died due to electricity-related accidents, and the utilities reported 214 injuries.
Meanwhile, an analysis of the report showed that in 2018, from 527,285 complaints received by the companies, 382,499 were resolved.
In 2019, 648,537 complaints were made,e and 553,756 were resolved.
In 2020, the NERC report said 857,108 complaints from customers unsatisfied with Discos’ services and decisions were lodged at its offices, and 799,236 were solved, while in 2021, 725,533 complaints, 694,154 were resolved, and 494,394 complaints were made and 462,398 resolved in 2022. However, the commission in the report restated its commitment to ensuring improved customer service delivery.
cc: Punch Ng
