By Rayyanu Bala

The composition of the management of the Nasarawa State Electricity Regulatory Commission (NASERC) by Governor Abdullahi Sule, and its subsequent confirmation by the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, is not just another political decision. It is a defining moment that could reshape power supply in Nasarawa State.
With Engr. Abubakar Bello confirmed as Chairman, alongside commissioners Engr. Muhammad Dan-Iya Dauda (Technical Regulation), Dr. Moses A. Arigu (Economic Regulation and Consumer Affairs), Engr. Ahmed Al-Mustapha Usman (Rural Electrification), Mr. Ubam A. Adego (Finance and Administration), and Barr. Mohammed Jibrin Aboke (Legal and Licensing), expectations are understandably high.
Electricity consumers in Nasarawa State have endured a frustrating reality: erratic supply, outrageous estimated billing, poor customer service, and load shedding. As a result, businesses suffer. Students struggle. Hospitals rely heavily on generators. Families spend more on fuel than on food.
NASERC has indeed, became a necessity.
With the decentralization of electricity regulation, states now have greater control over their power sectors. That means Nasarawa no longer has to sit back and complain about inefficiencies. The state now has the authority to regulate, supervise, and demand accountability from electricity providers operating within its jurisdiction.
That is where NASERC must rise to the occasion.
The Commission must not merely exist on paper. It must function boldly and independently. It must protect consumers. It must enforce compliance. It must ensure that operators play by the rules.
And yes, it must check the excesses of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC).
It is Time to Address AEDC’s Inefficiencies
The complaints about AEDC are not new:
Overbilling through estimated charges without corresponding supply
Delays and reluctance in meter provision
Load shedding that disproportionately affects virtually all areas.
Poor response to consumer complaints
The abandonment of substation along Shendam Road and other neglected infrastructures,
NASERC must put a stop to these recurring problems.
If customers are being overbilled, there must be sanctions. If there is deliberate load shedding beyond what is technically necessary, there must be transparency and consequences. If service does not match billing, then billing must reflect reality.
Electricity is not a luxury; it is a fundamental driver of development.
Speaker Rt. Hon. Danladi Jatau and other lawmakers were right to task the Commission with changing the narrative. But changing the narrative requires more than speeches. It requires:
Strong regulatory frameworks
Active monitoring of AEDC
Transparent complaint resolution systems
Functional consumer protection units
Public reporting of performance metrics
Strict enforcement of penalties where necessary
The new Chairman, Engr. Abubakar Bello, has assured residents of constant and stable power supply. That promise is bold and welcome, but it must be backed by action.
Encouraging investors into the state is a positive step. Rural electrification must be prioritized. Technical losses must be reduced. But at the heart of all this must be one thing: accountability.
If NASERC succeeds, Nasarawa could become a model for other states embracing decentralized electricity regulation. Stable power would attract industries, boost SMEs, create jobs, and improve living standards.
But if it becomes another dormant agency, silent in the face of inefficiency, then the suffering of Nasarawa residents will simply continue.
This Commission must rise to the challenge. It must be firm. It must be proactive. It must protect consumers and demand performance from AEDC.
Stable electricity is not too much to ask.
It is the bare minimum.