NASERC Seeks Stronger NBS Partnership on Electricity Regulation
The Chairman of the Nasarawa State Electricity Regulatory Commission (NASERC), Engineer Abubakar Bello, has called for closer collaboration between the Commission and the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS) to strengthen public enlightenment on the mandate, activities and responsibilities of the electricity regulatory body in the state.
Engineer Bello made the call when he led the management team of the Commission on a courtesy visit to the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service, Mallam Awalu Salihu, at his office.
The NASERC Chairman explained that the Nasarawa State Electricity Regulatory Commission was established in line with the Electricity Act 2023 and the amended 1999 Constitution, which empower states to regulate electricity markets and activities within their respective jurisdictions.
Engineer Bello, who was represented during the visit by the Vice Chairman of the Commission, Engineer Muhammad Dan’iya Dauda, explained that NASERC’s co-mandate includes regulating, licensing and overseeing intra-state electricity activities in Nasarawa State. He added that the Commission is also responsible for protecting electricity consumers and ensuring the provision of reliable and affordable electricity to support economic growth and development across the state.
According to him, achieving these objectives requires effective collaboration with relevant stakeholders, particularly the media, to ensure that residents are adequately informed about the Commission’s mandate, policies, programmes and interventions in the electricity sector.
While appreciating the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service for consistently living up to its responsibility of educating, informing and entertaining the public, Engineer Bello disclosed that the Commission had so far issued three licences to qualified companies to operate within the state.
He expressed optimism that with the ongoing reforms and regulatory efforts in the electricity sector, the challenges associated with indiscriminate electricity billing and epileptic power supply would soon be significantly reduced and eventually become a thing of the past.
Responding, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service, Mallam Awalu Salihu, commended the management of NASERC for what he described as its commitment to its social responsibilities and the development of the state’s electricity sector.
Mallam Awalu Salihu assured the Commission of the station’s readiness to provide adequate media coverage for its activities and programmes, particularly those aimed at improving electricity services and enhancing the wellbeing of the people of Nasarawa State.
He, however, used the opportunity to inform the visiting team that the Nasarawa Broadcasting Service was currently undergoing a major upgrading project worth billions of naira, being facilitated by the administration of Governor Abdullahi Sule.
According to him, the project, when completed, would completely transform and upgrade the station’s facilities and technical capacity, thereby enabling it to deliver improved broadcasting services to the people of the state.
During the visit, the NASERC management team was taken on an inspection tour of the ongoing upgrading project at the broadcasting station. The tour was led by the Director of Engineering of the station, Engineer Isa Maiwada.
The visit also featured the participation of the NASERC management team in a live Hausa-language radio programme, where issues relating to electricity regulation, consumer protection and the activities of the Commission were discussed with members of the public.
