A foremost member of the Abia Civil Society Network (ACSON), the Centre for Human Rights Advocacy and Wholesome Society (CEHRAWS), has applauded a recent order of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), NERC/2025/058, formally initiating the transfer of regulatory oversight of the electricity market in Abia State to the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Agency (ASERA), in line with Section 230(2) of the Electricity Act 2023 (as amended).
The directive, which took effect from June 25, 2025, the group believes, is a commendable step toward sub-national electricity market autonomy.
The Abia State Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr Ikechukwu Monday, had outlined some proposed benefits of the transition to include Localised Tariff Setting, Improved Oversight and Responsiveness, Focused Infrastructure Development, capacity to Attract Responsible Private Investment, and Increased Accountability & Job Creation.
According to a statement in Aba, by the Executive Director of the CEHRAWS, Mr Chuka Okoye, the group recognises the directive as a bold stride by Governor Alex Otti’s administration towards reclaiming the power sector for the people of Abia.
He believes that the legal conformity of the transition, coupled with its localised policy ambitions, offers strong potential to democratise electricity governance and ensure that electricity works for the people, not just for profit.
According to Okoye, electricity governance must begin to reflect the needs of the people, not just the profits of corporations.
He, however, warned that the transition must not become another bureaucratic exercise or platform for elite capture.
“We strongly insist that the era of unimaginable tariffs, estimated billing, billing without supply, poor metering, and oppressive disconnection practices must come to an end.
“The Aba Power Limited Electric (APLE), notorious within the Aba Ring Area for what many residents describe as regulatory impunity, must now submit to the watchful scrutiny of ASERA and the people of Abia State. No transition is successful until the most vulnerable consumer feels the impact.
“ASERA should immediately publish a Regulatory Implementation Roadmap and open a public complaint desk in all LGAs.
“NERC and ASERA must conduct a forensic audit of DISCO’s (EEDC & APLE) historical billing practices to refund or reconcile exploitative charges.
“The State Executive Council should approve an Electricity Consumer Protection Regulation within 90 days, safeguarding citizens from abuse.
“Civil society must be represented on all ASERA stakeholder panels for consumer protection, monitoring, and tariff reviews,” he said.
The CEHRAWS boss urged the people of Abia State to stay engaged, informed, and vigilant, calling on the State Government to carry the people along in the next phase of implementation, as according to him, electricity is not a privilege, but a constitutional and developmental necessity.
