Consumers have a right to complete information on the price, quality, quantity, ingredients and other conditions under which the goods and services they consume are produced. It is only in this way that consumers are able to participate meaningfully in economic life and to exercise their rights.

Information is power. It is only when we have access to information that we take informed decisions about matters that affect our lives, our communities and indeed our country. But it is not enough merely to have access to information. In order for information to make the desired impact, it must be relevant to our needs. In addition, we must know how to use information in order to make the desired impact.Merely complaining about poor quality goods or services without directing our concerns to the responsible service producer or provider is unlikely to effect change. We must also follow up on the complaints we lodge with service providers. If our complaints or concerns are not addressed, we must raise them with the next in line of seniority or appropriate outside bodies. This is the only way through which to seek redress and encourage accountability among service providers.

This implies that service providers have redress mechanisms within their organisations. Where redress mechanisms do not exist, consumers must demand that they are put in place and observed.

The fact that consumers have access to information about goods and services does not necessarily mean that information is easily made available. Sometimes, even in a democratic society, it is difficult to force service providers to make information available to consumers. When the release of information necessary for the exercise of our rights is made impossible, it is up to us as consumers, to demand that such information is made available.

Generally, consumer rights are connected to one another. One right cannot be viewed in isolation from another or from responsibilities that come with rights. As such, redress is better realised when consumers organise themselves into collectives to press for their rights. For example, service providers who thrive on consumer ignorance or apathy are more likely to listen to a group of unhappy consumers than one individual. Otherwise, the service provider can lose reputation and business if the group decides to buy goods and services elsewhere or boycott the business. Consumer collectives can also negotiate better sale deals with service providers while individuals may find this difficult or need to develop personal relations with service providers, often over long periods of time.

(sourced from http://www.ncf.org.za)

In the bustling heart of Abuja, where the lights of the city often flickered between power surges and outages, there was a man who had made it his mission to bring stability and fairness to the electricity supply sector. His name was Mr. Musa, a dedicated senior officer in the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC). He was no stranger to the challenges of Nigeria’s power sector, especially the long-standing issue of faulty and obsolete meters affecting both consumers and service providers.

The year was 2021 when a crucial order—NERC/246/2021—was issued. This order aimed to address a significant problem in the electricity sector: the widespread use of malfunctioning and outdated end-user meters. These faulty meters were not only a source of frustration for customers, who often received inflated bills, but they also hindered the efficient distribution and monitoring of electricity consumption.

Mr. Musa, having worked closely with various stakeholders in the industry, knew that the only way to ensure fairness and transparency in electricity billing was through a structured replacement of these meters. He was tasked with overseeing the implementation of this order, a responsibility that weighed heavily on him, considering the scale of the challenge.

THE PLAN: A STRUCTURED METER REPLACEMENT INITIATIVE

Under NERC/246/2021, a framework was established to guide the replacement of faulty and obsolete meters across the country, with special attention to areas like Abuja, where there had been numerous complaints from consumers. The order outlined the following objectives:

1. Identification of Faulty Meters: All existing meters would undergo a thorough inspection and testing process to identify faulty or outdated models.
2. Collaboration with Service Providers: Distribution companies (DisCos) were instructed to collaborate with accredited vendors to replace the meters.
3. Transparency and Accountability: The process would be monitored by NERC to ensure the replacement was done transparently and efficiently, with customers receiving proper documentation for the new meters.
4. Public Awareness: A public awareness campaign was to be launched, educating consumers about the meter replacement process and their rights under the new policy.

Mr. Musa’s Leadership

As soon as the order was received, Mr. Musa convened a meeting with key stakeholders from the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC), meter manufacturers, and other regulatory bodies to discuss the implementation strategy. His first task was to ensure that the logistics of identifying faulty meters were streamlined.

In Abuja, where some areas had been experiencing erratic power supply for months, Mr. Musa knew this project had to be done in phases, with priority given to high-demand areas. He personally oversaw the creation of a database that listed all customer complaints related to meter malfunctions. The goal was clear: every faulty meter would be replaced, and the process would be carried out with minimal disruption to the electricity supply.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

The journey wasn’t without its challenges. The first hurdle was the sheer number of meters that needed replacing, especially in older neighbourhoods where many customers still used mechanical or analogue meters. These types of meters were prone to errors in reading and often resulted in consumers being billed for more electricity than they actually consumed.

Then, there was the issue of public trust. Many Abuja residents were skeptical of the process, having dealt with corrupt practices and inefficiencies in the past. Some feared that the replacement program might be a ruse to inflate prices or further delay necessary repairs.

Mr. Musa responded to these concerns with a carefully designed communication strategy. He worked with local media outlets to broadcast the details of the NERC order and how it would benefit consumers in the long run. He also held town hall meetings across the city, where he listened to customer concerns and assured them that the process would be fully transparent. He personally visited several neighbourhoods to oversee the installation of new meters and ensure that the process was being conducted fairly.

A Turning Point for Abuja

As months went by, the replacement initiative slowly began to bear fruit. The first batch of faulty meters in Abuja was replaced with modern, digital meters that were not only more accurate but also allowed for remote readings, reducing the need for manual meter inspections. Consumers who had once been frustrated by overestimated bills now found their new meters providing accurate and timely readings.

Mr. Musa’s meticulous planning and oversight ensured that there were minimal disruptions. As the meter replacement program progressed, there was a noticeable reduction in complaints about high bills, and the energy distribution process became more efficient.

For the first time in years, many residents in Abuja experienced consistent and transparent billing. The new meters were also equipped with smart features that enabled customers to monitor their consumption in real-time, helping them better manage their energy usage.

LEGACY OF CHANGE

The success of the meter replacement initiative didn’t just stop with Abuja. Inspired by the model Mr. Musa had implemented, other states began to adopt similar strategies for replacing faulty meters. His leadership not only brought relief to countless consumers but also set a precedent for how regulatory frameworks could be effectively implemented to improve the electricity supply industry.

When the project was completed, Mr. Musa received commendations from NERC, government officials, and customers alike. His dedication to fairness, transparency, and accountability had not only improved the lives of thousands of Abuja residents but also restored faith in the country’s electricity distribution system.

As he looked out over the now brightly lit streets of Abuja, Mr. Musa knew that the battle for a more reliable and fair electricity supply was far from over. But thanks to NERC/246/2021 and his tireless efforts, he had played a key role in making a significant change. And for the first time in a long while, the people of Abuja could trust that their lights—and their bills—would be a little more predictable.

Read more  http://www.savetheconsumers.org

Little did we know in Nigeria that we are responsible for what we produce and consume, the chain involves all of us, the producer, the consumer and the policymakers. We have overstretched the carrying capacity of our environment through different environmental degradation and consumption patterns, the earlier we key into the sustainable consumption and production patterns the better for us and the future of upcoming Nigerians, our waterways are blocked with satchel and plastic waste, we don’t have the culture to trash our can for recycling, we don’t have the choice to choose sustainable product or service that is recyclable, we don’t have the capacity to develop a policy that will reduce the production of food or drink package that are not recyclable.

Looking at these woes in Nigeria, it’s time to rethink how we use plastics, some of the major long-term effects of plastic pollution are; land pollution, air pollution and amongst the most seriously affected are the coastal communities which will ultimately call for increased expenditures for beach cleaning, public health, waste disposal, litter removal and waste management. Arguably there may be more plastic on the waterways in Nigeria compare to fish.

There must be a proactive measure to curb this menace through sustainable consumption and production, it is estimated that by 2030 seven hundred million people will be displaced worldwide due to water scarcity, I am sure you all know our share in this number because of our weak culture towards reducing the spate of plastic waste in Nigeria.

The united nation sustainable development goal twelve is titled sustainable consumption and production, it aims to bring to the consciousness of global citizen to know the negative impact of environmental degradation through uncultured lifestyle.

March 15th is world consumer right day and this year theme is: sustainable consumer, this is a wakeup call to us all as individual or consumer, we have enormous power, in the purchase choice we make and how we use and dispose the waste of those purchases and majorly on our ability to use our purchasing power to influence the business owner to package their product with recyclable items that do not have effect on the environment sustainability to the present people and people in the future,

We must also influence our policymakers to create a policy that will make production companies produce products that are recyclable and environmentally friendly. This system cut-across all supply chain system of business through the manufacturer to the retailer and the consumers, it can also be controlled through procurement process where there will be public demand for sustainable production as a criterion for selection.

I like to conclude this my call to Nigerians with an adage that says, if the heaven falls it is not on one person but all of us, let us consume and produce sustainably. writting by Aliyu ilias.