On Thursday, February 17th, 2022, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and Power Sector Recovery Operation (PSRO) Secretariat, with support from the World Bank Group, organized a one-day workshop to dialogue with Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the power sector.

The workshop held at the NERC hearing room in Abuia drew fifty-five online  and in-person  from various civil society  organizations, representatives from the office of the Vice President (OVP), NERC, the PSRO Secretariat, the World Bank and members of the PSP Communications Committee 

Engr. Sanusi Garba. Chairman of NERC, giving the opening remark

The workshop provided an opportunity to educate the CSOs on the Power Sector Recovery Programme (PSRP), inform them about the reform activities and achievements so far solicit the support of this critical stakeholder group for the programme’s goals and objectives, as well as public understanding and confidence the government’s mission to strengthen the Electricity Supply Industry.

Comrade Adams Otakwu, the Chairperson of the Conference of Civil Societies in Nigeria

The NERC Chairman, Engr. Sanusi Garba, in his opening remarks, appreciated the presence of the CSO representatives. He emphasised that the PSRP’s goal is to ensure that Nigerians have access to adequate, reliable and affordable electricity, in Nigeria. 

“For it to succeed, we need the buy-in of the government agencies that are involved in the Power Sector Recovery Programme, we need the buy-in of consumers. We also need the buy-in of CSOs and Labour and that is why we are here today. The reform is a journey, not just an action,”

He urged participants, particularly civil society organisations, to join the reform dialogue, stating that 

“Without the involvement of the CSOs, this programme is not likely going to deliver the intended goals.”

A presentation on the PSRP was delivered which outlined programme objectives, plans and the milestones achieved so far in its implementation.

Workshop Participants

Participants emphasised the importance of CSOs to the success of the PSRP and described the event as the beginning of a mutually beneficial collaboration that accommodates the customer’s input. Comrade Adams Otakwu, the Chairperson of the Conference of Civil Societies in Nigeria in his closing remark reaffirmed the CSO commitment to working with the Federal Government to promote and improve the power sector; specifically. CSOs executing their own local programmes that will drive the PSRP message.