AN APPRAISAL OF THE RIGHT OF ELECTRICITY CONSUMERS UNDER THE ELECTRICITY ACT IN NIGERIA

Abstract

Electricity is an important component of national development. The contribution of the electricity sector to national and economic development of Nigeria cannot be over-emphasized. However, spite of the relevance of the sector, the right to electricity is however not internationally nor domestically recognized. In Nigeria, the right to electricity is not constitutionally1 nor statutorily enshrined in the Constitution nor the Electricity Act (EA),2 thus, in spite series of reforms that led to liberalization of the industry, consumers of electricity in the country continued to suffer setback as regard adequate protection of their right to affordable, accessible efficient electricity supply as provided for in the Consumer Protection Regulation(CPR).3 The rampant complaint of over-billing, arbitrary disconnection, low energy supply and many more are still very much alive in the country. It is in view of this development that this paper is set to appraise the right of electricity consumers in the country with the view to determine consumer protection in the industry. The paper recommended that the Constitution of Nigeria be amended to provide for electricity right in Chapter IV as did other important rights. The work deployed the analytical research in achieving the objective of this research.