Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has launched a special application through which electricity consumers in the country can report power outages and other problems to their respective electricity distribution firms.
The application is known as the Power Outage Reporting System, PORS.
The application, NERC said will lead to the improvement of electricity services in the country, as well as assist electricity Distribution Companies and discos in their relationship with customers.
Speaking at an event on Monday, NERC commissioner of consumer affairs, Aisha Mahmud, said the application was a product of partnership with Discos in the country.
She explained that Abuja has been used as a pilotage for the application, noting that it will soon be introduced across the country for electricity consumers to benefit.
According to her, consumers would not have to go to Disco’s offices to report any problems regarding power disruption once they start using the app.
She said, “So, as all of you know, the commission over the years has developed and come up with several initiatives all to make sure that customers are satisfied, get value for money and get the services that they truly deserve from the distribution company.
“The power outage reporting system is one of those initiatives developed by the commission just to make sure that our customers are well-protected.
“It utilises a multi-channel approach. A lot of hard work and effort went into developing this app. We liaised with the different distribution companies and obtained a lot of data on their customers.
“So if you are a customer of a DisCo and you are being supplied by the DisCo, your information is already stored in that app.
“If you have a complaint on any outage, there are multiple channels. There is a web app and a mobile app, so you can download it on your phone through Apple or Google store. You just need your meter number,” she added.
“If you have a complaint, what you need to do is download the app, input your meter number and then after that, log in with your complaint, the app will automatically send a confirmation to the customer on that particular feeder of yours by notifying if there is really an outage.
“If there is, then we need about two to three customers to confirm that there’s an outage on that particular feeder. As soon as they confirm that, the App will send the confirmation to the DisCos with a resolution timeline and as soon as the DisCo resolves this complaint, then the DisCo will update the app saying We’ve resolved this complaint and the app will automatically send another confirmation request to those customers on that particular feeder.
“Now, the customer can easily reach out to the DisCos and of course, we are trying to fulfil our regulatory obligation here to make sure that customers get the best service that they need.
“With this App that we are launching today, customers don’t have to walk or drive down to the distribution company to report an outage,” she added.
“As of today we are starting with pilot “Abuja as pilot” and we intend to extend it to all other DisCos within the next couple of months.
“I urge all customers of AEDC to please utilise this opportunity, make use of this App and report any case of outage if there is any. And know that the commission is here to protect you to make sure you get value for your money and get the services that you truly deserve from the distribution company,” she said.
