DEVELOPMENT
Abia Electricity Sector Overhaul Imminent as ASERA to Regularise All Power Activities Following Full Transfer of Regulatory Authority
The Abia State Government has announced that a major regulatory intervention in the electricity sector is imminent, as the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA) is set to issue a comprehensive order to regularise all electricity-related activities across the state before the end of January.
The disclosure was made by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, on Monday while briefing journalists at the Government House, Umuahia, on the resolutions reached at this week’s State Executive Council (EXCO) meeting, which was presided over by Governor Alex Chioma Otti.
According to the Commissioner, the impending regulatory order is a direct outcome of the successful completion of the transfer of electricity regulatory powers from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to the Abia State Electricity Regulatory Authority (ASERA), marking a significant milestone in the state’s quest for energy sector reforms and efficiency.
Highlighting the significance of the development, Prince Kanu explained that the move positions ASERA as the sole statutory body responsible for overseeing and regulating all electricity sector activities within Abia State.
“This is one of the outcomes, of the release of the final transfer of regulatory authority from NERC to ASERA.
“As a statutory regulator of all electricity sector activities in the state, ASERA will issue that order to ensure quicker resolution of consumer complaints, stronger consumer protection, better service delivery, and a fair balance between operators and electricity consumers going forward,” Prince Kanu stated.
The Information Boss emphasized that the regularisation order will bring clarity, accountability, and orderliness to the electricity market in the state, while also strengthening the protection of consumers against arbitrary practices by operators. He noted that the new regulatory framework is expected to enhance service delivery, improve response time to complaints, and foster a more transparent relationship between electricity providers and consumers.
This development aligns with the broader reform agenda of the Alex Otti administration, which has consistently prioritized institutional efficiency, regulatory clarity, and improved service delivery across critical sectors of the state’s economy.
With ASERA fully empowered to function as the state’s electricity regulator, stakeholders and residents alike are expected to witness a more structured, responsive, and consumer-friendly electricity sector in Abia State in t
he coming weeks.