The South East Electricity Consumers Association (SEECA) has welcomed the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) decision to compensate eligible Band A customers, calling it a positive step for consumer protection.
In a press briefing in Enugu on Monday, SEECA Coordinator Dr. Sebastine Chukwuebuka Okafor emphasized that the compensation framework—offering token credits for prepaid users and billing adjustments for postpaid accounts—provides relief without disrupting supply arrangements.
Okafor noted that the generation shortfalls between February and March 2026 stemmed from gas shortages and infrastructure vandalism, issues beyond DisCos’ control. He praised NERC for choosing compensation over feeder downgrades, calling it a well-considered regulatory decision.
He urged the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC) and other South East regulators to adopt similar mechanisms that prioritize compensation rather than downgrading tariffs during systemic challenges.
SEECA warned against the planned mass reclassification of consumers to lower bands as a routine response to generation issues, arguing that such moves create technical, administrative, and operational difficulties that harm consumers across the region.
Okafor stressed that regulatory actions must balance consumer welfare with market sustainability, adding that stable tariffs backed by transparent compensation will attract investment, improve network efficiency, and build consumer confidence.
He reaffirmed SEECA’s commitment to engaging constructively with regulators, DisCos, and stakeholders to promote fairness, accountability, and improved service delivery in the power sector for residents and businesses in the South East.