🏛️📜🖊️✂️⚡ So, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), in conjunction with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), wrapped up its 2023 Compliance Monitoring exercise on two big names in Nigeria’s electricity world: the Business Facilitation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2023 (a.k.a. the BFA) and NERC Order 172.
Now, if your first thought was, “Wait, another acronym?!” Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Nigeria loves acronyms almost as much as Nigerians love pepper soup. Let’s break it down.
First up: The BFA (Business Facilitation Act)
Think of the BFA as Nigeria’s attempt at giving bureaucracy a much-needed gym membership. The law basically says:
- Cut the red tape.
- Make processes faster.
- Stop frustrating businesses with endless “come back tomorrow” stories.
For the power sector, that means: DisCos and regulators can’t keep hiding behind paperwork mountains or snail-speed approvals. The BFA is meant to make doing business (and getting electricity) smoother, quicker, and less like running a marathon barefoot.
And then there’s NERC Order 172 …
Issued way back in 2017, NERC Order 172 is about one thing: speeding up electricity connections. The idea is simple: no customer should have to beg, bribe, or grow grey hairs just to get connected to the grid.
Here’s how it works in human language:
- Step 1: You apply and pay the necessary fees. The DisCo must visit your site within 7 days.
- Step 2: You bring in a licensed contractor to buy and install the required equipment (max 5 days).
- Step 3: If land is involved, get your Right-of-Way permit (the paperwork part).
- Step 4: DisCo and certified engineers inspect everything and clear it within 13 days.
- Step 5: DisCo installs your meter within 5 days.
Done. In theory, your new connection shouldn’t take more than a month.
Why PEBEC is Watching Closely
The 2023 – 2024 compliance check was all about seeing whether DisCos and regulators are actually following the BFA and Order 172 or just paying lip service. Because let’s be honest, Nigerians are tired of “we’ll connect you next week” promises that stretch into next year.
PEBEC’s job here is to make sure the sector isn’t just writing laws for decoration. If the BFA says “fast-track it,” and NERC says “connect them on time,” then everyone in the system better follow through.
Why You Should Care
- If you’re a business owner, these reforms are supposed to mean less time chasing DisCos and more time running your business.
- If you’re a regular customer, it’s about finally getting your meter and electricity connection without pulling your hair out.
- And if you’re in the power sector, it’s a reminder: compliance is not optional.
Bottom line: The BFA and NERC Order 172 are like Nigeria’s attempt at saying, “Enough wahala, let’s actually make electricity access easier.” The question now is: will DisCos walk the talk, or will customers still need patience thicker than NEPA bills?🏛️📜🖊️✂️⚡
