WorldStage Newsonline— The Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) in Ebonyi has frowned at the alleged exploitation of electricity consumers rights by various electricity distribution companies in Nigeria.
The CDHR Chairman in Ebonyi, Mr Emeka Anosike made the assertion, in an interview in Abakaliki on Monday.
Anosike said that electricity consumers were being exploited and subjected to injustice due to ignorance of their rights by power distribution companies.
According to him, worried by this disturbing development, the body has embarked on sensitisation campaign to enlighten and educate electricity consumers on their rights and enforcement of such rights when breached.
He said that electricity distribution companies were mandated by law to carry out regular public awareness campaigns to educate consumers on their rights.
He urged electricity consumers to seek enforcement of their rights from relevant authorities whenever these rights were breached by electricity providers.
The rights activist noted with sadness deliberate illegal activities especially in the disconnection without notice of consumers by distribution companies.
“By law, you are entitled to at least 14 days between the date you receive your electricity bill and the date when you are to pay that bill.
“By law, your Electricity Distribution Company must give you a written notice of disconnection before it can disconnect you for nonpayment of your bill.
“By law, your Electricity Distribution Company must wait for at least 90 days from the date of giving you notice of disconnection, before it can legally disconnect you.
“You have the right under the law to compel your distribution company to reconnect you without paying reconnection fee when you are unlawfully disconnected and you can get this done without going to court.
“We are urging Nigerians especially electricity users to know these rights, the relevant authorities to approach whenever these rights are violated,’’ Anosike said.
CDHR chairman explained that consumers were entitled to damages at a minimum of N1, 000 per day to be paid by their distribution company for each day of disconnection till the day power was restored.
Anosike advised electricity consumers to report cases of breaching of their consumer rights to the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), an administrative body that monitored activities of these companies.
“This body will compel electricity distribution companies to respect your rights if breached and will make them to serve you better.’’(NAN)
