—– protection of rights of consumers and ensuring a level playing field for operators.
The Kogi State Electricity Regulatory commission, (KERC), has said that it’s committed to designing a system that guarantees reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity supply, while protecting the rights of consumers and ensuring a level playing field for operators.
The Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, (CEO), of the commission, Engr. Ibrahim S. Abdwaaris, noted that when the Federal Government, through its reforms, opened the way for States to establish their own electricity regulatory commissions, it was not merely a policy shift, it was a call for States to take ownership of their energy destiny.
The chairman stated this during the Stakeholders engagement on Tariff Establishment, with the theme “Transparency and Public Participation in Electricity Tariff Setting” held at the Edge Drive Hotel in Lokoja on Tuesday.
The chairman added that, In Kogi State, the commission has embraced this initiative with clarity of purpose to build a system that guarantees reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity for the people.
Speaking further he said “Since inception, the Commission has worked tirelessly to design an electricity market that reflects the realities of our State while drawing strength from national and global best practices.
“Our journey has been one of constant dialogue engaging communities, industry operators, consumer groups, and development partners. We have made it a point to listen, to learn, and to craft solutions that are fair, transparent, and workable.
According to the chairman, the stakeholders/workshop is designed to achieve three important goals, which includes, to discuss openly the process of tariff development in Kogi State so that every stakeholder understands how tariffs are set and the principles that guide them.
Others he said is to enhance trust, transparency, and stakeholder participation, saying that a tariff framework built with the input of the people is much stronger, fairer, and more sustainable.
He stressed that the meeting will also prepare the minds of all stakeholders’ operators, consumers, and investors for the realities of a new electricity market in Kogi State.
“We know that tariff is often one of the most sensitive issues in electricity markets. Consumers are concerned about affordability, while operators worry about recovering costs and making the investments necessary to improve service. Our duty as a Commission is to balance these interests fairly. That is why our tariff methodology will be guided by three core principles:
of Fairness, ensuring that consumers are not exploited, while service providers can remain viable.
Others he said are efficiency, which encourages cost-effective service delivery, investments and transparency, there making the process simple, clearer and understandable for all.
“This is not just about numbers and formulas. It is about the lives and livelihoods of the people of Kogi State farmers who need affordable power for irrigation, students who need light to study, traders who rely on electricity to keep their businesses alive, and industries that require steady supply to create jobs.
“Let me assure every consumer here today: the Commission is committed to protecting your interests. We will not approve any tariff that is unfair or that does not reflect the realities of service delivery. At the same time, we recognize that for electricity supply to improve, operators must have the resources and incentives to invest in infrastructure, expand access, and deliver quality service. Our tariff model will seek to strike this delicate balance.
Speaking also, the Kogi State commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, noted that the state Government will do everything possible to ensure transparency and accountability in the regulation of tariff and power distribution in the state.
He called on the stakeholders to be frank in their discuss, so as to be able to have a better regulation of the electricity market in the State.
Stakeholders at the engagement commended the commission for running an all inclusive administration, which has allowed stakeholders to have a say in decisions that affects them directly.