Abia Takes Control of Electricity Market as NERC Exits

Nigeria’s federal electricity regulator, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has formally withdrawn from overseeing the electricity market in Abia State, with regulatory authority now transferred to the newly established Abia State Electricity Regulation Authority (ASERA).

On Friday, the state government, acting through ASERA, issued interim licences for power generation and distribution to three locally based firms, marking a significant step in the state’s move towards decentralised electricity regulation.

Speaking at the handover, ASERA chairman Emeka Onyegbule said the state had begun enforcing measures to protect consumers from unfair practices and to strengthen dispute resolution mechanisms. He warned the newly licensed companies to adhere strictly to regulatory standards, stressing that transparency would be enforced and violations sanctioned.

ASERA’s Executive Director for Legal and Regulation, Iguwo Ukwu, said companies must ensure that billing, metering and customer engagement are fair, verifiable and compliant with the approved regulatory framework. “You must demonstrate consumer protection and responsiveness,” he added.

The Abia State Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Ikechukwu Monday, represented by the governor’s Special Adviser on Energy, Kachu Etolue, urged the companies to provide reliable electricity supply and maintain public trust.

The firms granted licences are New Era Electricity Distribution, APL Electricity and Geometric Power Aba.