The South-South coordinator of the Licensed Electrical Association of Nigeria (LECAN), Engr Philip Ewesor in this interview with News Headquarters recently, says that gazetting and full recognition of the association, the government did for the Nigerian Barristers Association (NBA) and the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), will give the LEXAN power to put to an end, all the anomalies in electricity industry in Nigeria. He therefore accuses the the DISCOs of not keeping to the rules guiding the electricity industry. Excerpts:
As a coordinator of a zone, what is your biggest challenge as an association?
Non-gazetting of LECAN. NBA and NMA are gazetted. If LECAN is gazetted, we will regulate the industry better.
What is your final appeal?
Federal Government should gazette LECAN now. It will help checkmate irregularities, reduce energy theft, and improve service delivery.
Why is gazetting important?
Without gazetting, when we checkmate irregularities, people ask ‘by what authority’. With gazetting, we have federal backing.
When was LECAN established?
1961. We are almost 65 years old, almost as old as this country.
Have you reported these issues to government?
Yes. We had interface with House of Reps Committee on Power. NEMSA was also invited.
What was NEMSA’s response?
They promised synergy. They said they are willing to cooperate as long as we stand for standards.
NEPA now, the DISCOs, doing enough?
To an extent, no. They focus on revenue but not maintenance. Their substations are bushy and not protected.
What about communities donating transformers?
The process is too rigorous. They ask you to clear debts first. That discourages donors. If you allow it, people will pay because they see value.
What is the national body doing?
The national body is interfacing with House of Reps and relevant authorities to push for gazetting. They are doing their best.
What is your final appeal?
Federal Government should gazette LECAN now. It will help checkmate irregularities, reduce energy theft, and improve service delivery.
What are the major challenges in the electricity industry in South?
We have two DISCOs covering the zone. The major challenges are non-availability of meters, limited transformers, estimated billing, and non-compliance with NESI rules.
How does lack of meters affect consumers?
Consumers suffer because they are placed on estimated billing. They pay exorbitantly for what they did not consume. That frustration leads some to steal energy.
Is the federal government addressing the metering gap?
Yes. The new free meter program by the federal government is ongoing. There is response now and meter installation is going on in this area.
What about transformers?
Distribution transformers are very limited. Where they are limited, you will have overload. Overload damages transformers and causes prolonged outages.
What does NESI say about new house connections?
NESI says before any new house is connected, Form 74 must be filled. It must be endorsed by a certified electrician who is a member of LECAN.
Are DISCOs following this rule?
No. Most of the time they just go and capture a customer without agreement. They put you in their system and start estimated billing.
What is the effect of estimated billing?
The bills are outrageous. After one month the customer cannot pay. That is what brings the mindset of stealing energy.
How does energy theft affect the grid?
When people hang wires between lines, it can pack up a phase or two phases of a transformer. It damages equipment.
What is LECAN’s role in all this?
LECAN is supposed to certify electricians and ensure standards. If we certify Form 74, it becomes legal for processing by DISCOs.
