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 This order aimed to address a significant problem in the electricity sector: the widespread use of malfunctioning and outdated end-user meters.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of Faulty Meters: All existing meters would undergo a thorough inspection and testing process to identify faulty or outdated models.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

Tips to help keep the pests from hitching a ride home with you

Checking into a hotel for a holiday vacation? Beware of bed bugs. Hotels and motels can be hot spots for infestations of the small reddish-brown insects, which can live happily in a bed and hitch a ride home on luggage and clothing.

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Bed bugs feed on the blood of people and animals, usually while they sleep. “Bed bugs haven’t been shown to transmit any diseases outside of the lab,” says Zachary DeVries, PhD, an assistant professor of entomology at the University of Kentucky. “That said, they do cause itchy bites that can become infected when scratched. We are also concerned about potential allergens and other contaminants they may be introducing into homes.”

If these bloodsuckers get into your luggage and travel home with you, they can take up residence in your own mattresses, box springs, and furniture, possibly causing an infestation. That’s a holiday gift no one wants.

Here are five steps that will help you avoid a bed bug encounter during your vacation.

Tips for Traveling Without Bed Bugs

1. When you first enter a new hotel room, put your luggage on a luggage rack or in the bathroom—an unlikely place for bed bugs to hide—while you inspect the bedding and furniture. “Being aware of your surroundings can go a long way to making sure bed bugs don’t come home with you,” DeVries says.
2. Pull back the bed sheets and blankets and check the mattress and box spring seams for bugs, especially at the head of the bed. Adults, nymphs, and eggs are visible to the naked eye. Also keep your eyes peeled for exoskeletons (casings that the bugs leave behind when they molt) and dark, rust-colored spots. You can lift the mattress and check underneath, too, using a flashlight if possible.
3. Consider checking upholstered furniture, too. If you see any telltale signs, tell hotel staff and ask for a new room, preferably in another part of the building.
4. Stow your suitcases, zipped closed, on a luggage rack or a hard surface for the length of your stay. You can also pack large plastic trash bags and keep your luggage in them during your time in the hotel.
5. When you get home, if you have any concerns that you’ve brought home a stray hitchhiker or two, tumble your travel clothes in a hot dryer for up to 30 minutes. (The heat will kill bed bugs, but simply washing the clothes usually won’t.)

Bed Bug Tips

These pests are more common than you think. On the “Save the consumer ”

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The best steps: To prevent swollen, bleeding gums, make sure you’re vigilant about brushing. But remember to go easy: Too much pressure can lead to more gum recession. And floss as advised below. Older adults who floss regularly have a lower risk of gum disease, according to a 2020 study published in the Journal of Dental Research.

“It helps remove bacteria and food that are caught between the teeth that can cause gum inflammation,” says Tomas Ballesteros, DMD, a professor of dentistry at the Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. If a problem such as wrist arthritis makes flossing difficult, try a water flosser, a device that aims a stream of water between your teeth.

For existing gum problems, you might need treatment to prevent tooth loss in addition to good dental hygiene. For mild disease, a dentist will typically perform a deep cleaning called scaling and root planing. This generally takes more than one visit and often requires local anesthesia. More extensive gum disease might require surgery to remove damaged bone and stubborn bacteria.

If Your Mouth Is Always Dry

With age, your mouth produces less saliva, Cram says. This can lead to a condition known as dry mouth, which affects 30 percent of people over the age of 65 and 40 percent of those over 80, according to the ADA—and can raise the risk of cavities and gum disease. Certain medications can worsen the problem as well. Sometimes dry mouth is accompanied by a burning or tingling sensation (called burning mouth syndrome), which may be due to a vitamin B or iron deficiency, according to Cram.

The best steps: The first and easiest thing to do is to stay well hydrated, Hewlett says. “Keep a bottle of water with you all the time, and sip on it frequently to keep your mouth moist and wet and hydrated,” he says. Other drinks with no added sugar, like milk or herbal tea, are also fine, but alcohol and caffeine can dry out your mouth. If needed, the ADA recommends that you suck on ice chips.

Chewing on sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candy that contains xylitol has been found to help ease the condition, Sheridan says. Talk to your doctor if you think your dry mouth may be related to medication, and see if you can switch to another drug. For burning mouth, you may want your primary care provider to check your iron and vitamin B levels, Cram says. If you’re deficient, they may recommend a supplement.

A Smart Dental Routine

You already know it’s important to floss daily and brush your teeth gently with a fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day for 2 minutes at a time.

But which toothbrush is best? While a manual one can do a fine job, you might want to consider an electric toothbrush, says Tomas Ballesteros, DMD. A 2019 study in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology found that using one led to 22 percent less gum recession (a risk factor for gum disease) and 18 percent less tooth decay.

See your dentist regularly. There’s no hard and fast rule; it varies from person to person, but “at the very least it should be once a year,” says Edmond Hewlett, DDS. As you age and dental risk factors increase, it’s likely your dentist will advise a professional cleaning at least twice a year.

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Illustration: Israel G. Vargas

Stents for heart disease. Spinal fusion for back pain. Vena cava filters for blood clots. Vertebroplasty for osteoporosis. A recent report from the Lown Institute, a nonprofit that focuses on improving healthcare, found that during the pandemic year of 2020, adults on Medicare received 106,474 overused or unnecessary surgeries or procedures—and those were near the top of the list.

According to the Lown Institute, overuse, or low-value care, “refers to medical services that offer little to no clinical benefit or are more likely to harm patients than help them.”

“It’s very easy for doctors and patients to go down the path of doing a medical procedure because it seems like, in theory, it would be safer and better, but that’s not always the case,” says Vikas Saini, MD, a cardiologist and president of the institute. “More medical care isn’t necessarily always better, especially for older adults.”

Given this, it may be helpful to know more about overused procedures so that you can have productive conversations if your doctor recommends one. Here’s a spotlight on the four mentioned previously. (For info on others, see the consumer right full report.)

Stents for Heart Disease

What it is: A clogged artery is cleared and then propped open with a tiny stent that’s left in place. This may be the right call after a heart attack or for people with a significant narrowing of the left main coronary artery, says David Maron, MD, director of preventive cardiology at the Stanford University School of Medicine.

When it’s questionable: If you have coronary artery disease (plaque buildup in the walls of arteries that supply blood to the heart) but it’s stable, you’re unlikely to benefit. (Stable means generally no chest pain or shortness of breath, or only with exercise or stress—and it resolves with rest or medication.) A study co-led by Maron found that people with moderate or severe but stable heart disease who took medication for it were no more at risk of a heart attack or death than those who had procedures like stenting.

Note: If you have stable coronary artery disease and notice worsening symptoms—for example, they begin to occur even when you’re at rest—it’s reasonable to talk to your doctor about a stent, Saini says.

Spinal Fusion for Chronic Back Pain

What it is: This surgery permanently connects two or more vertebrae in the spine—using metal plates, rods, or screws—to eliminate the motion between them that can cause pain.

Spinal fusion is appropriate in situations such as a spinal fracture from a car accident, a severe bone infection, or a tumor that causes part of your spine to collapse, says Steven Atlas, MD, MPH, director of The Primary Care Practice-Based Research & Quality Improvement Network at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. But generally, “that’s not when it’s being done,” he says.

When it’s questionable: Surgeons may advise spinal fusion for chronic lower back pain from severe arthritis or age-related wear from spinal disks, Atlas says. But studies suggest that in these circumstances, the procedure is no more effective than nonsurgical approaches such as physical therapy, he notes.

If you have severe chronic back pain and have used measures like PT for six to 12 months without much improvement, however, consider asking your doctor about laminectomy, Atlas says. In that procedure, part or all of the vertebral bone is removed to enlarge the spinal canal and ease pressure on your spinal cord, disks, and nerves.

Vena Cava Filters for Clots

What it is: If you have blood clots in your legs, your doctor may advise that you have surgery to place a small filter in a vein, especially if a clot has travelled up to your lungs in the past. The goal is to prevent clots from making their way to your lungs (known as pulmonary embolism) or brain, where they could cause a stroke. This procedure might be necessary for people who can’t tolerate traditional treatment (oral or injectable blood thinners). “But that’s the exception and not the norm,” says Behnood Bikdeli, MD, MS, a cardiologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston.

When it’s questionable: There’s no clear evidence that these filters are more effective than­ blood thinners, Bikdeli says. A review he co-authored, concluded that while the filters do seem to reduce the risk of pulmonary embolisms, they don’t lower clot-related death rates and can hike the chance that more leg blood clots will develop. Yet they’re still often used. A study Bikdeli authored, involving more than half a million people hospitalized for the embolisms, found that about 1 in 6 people ages 65 or older received a vena cava filter.

Vertebroplasty for Osteoporosis

What it is: Osteoporosis heightens the risk of painful compression fractures, a bone break in the vertebrae. One way to treat them is vertebroplasty, where a surgeon injects special cement into the fractured area to support the spine and help to relieve pain. Some research suggests that it may offer benefits in the case of severe compression fractures, such as those significant enough to require opioid drugs to ease discomfort, says Joshua Hirsch, MD, chief of the Interventional Spine Service at Massachusetts General Hospital.

When it’s questionable: In most cases, vertebroplasty is no more effective at relieving compression fracture pain than a placebo, according to a 2018 Cochrane review of multiple studies. It also noted that vertebroplasty has the potential to cause side effects such as spinal cord or nerve root compression, bone infection, and cement leaking into the bloodstream. That’s why, in general, this procedure isn’t recommended for mild to moderate pain that responds to pain relievers like acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen, as well as the nasal medicine calcitonin, says Patrick Doherty, MD, associate professor of clinical neurosurgery at the Yale School of Medicine. To prevent future vertebral fractures if you have osteoporosis, he suggests that you get plenty of calcium and vitamin D, avoid smoking, limit alcohol, and, when appropriate, take osteoporosis medication.

Four Questions to Ask Before Any Procedure

If your doctor suggests surgery, you may hesitate to ask many questions. But “every medical procedure or surgery carries risks, especially among older adults,” Saini says. “There’s too much at stake: time, money, and most important, your health—not to voice concerns.” Here are questions he suggests and something to mention.

1. If your parent had my condition, would you recommend this procedure?“This forces your physician to take a moment and pause,” Saini says.
2. What happens if I wait? If putting surgery off for six months to see if your issue resolves won’t affect the outcome, waiting may be reasonable.
3. What could go wrong if I have this procedure?“You want to clearly know what the worst possible outcome could be,” Saini says.
4. What alternatives are not quite as good but are still effective in my case?You want to know, for instance, if other appropriate options may be less invasive, cause fewer side effects, or require less healing time.

Also, tell your doctor you plan to get a second opinion. “There are a lot of gray areas in medicine,” Saini says, “and it’s not an exact science. Your physician should welcome other colleagues’ ideas and opinions.”