Reports from the 2013 2nd Annual Seminar

On July 4th,2013  a quality crowd of eminent Nigerians and diplomatic corps converged at the Atiku Abubakar Auditorium of the Shehu Yar'Adua Centre in Abuja for the Second Annual Seminar  on The Role of the Public Complaints Commission in a Democratic Nigeriaorganized by the Public Complaints Commission FCT

Afam Chukwunwike reports.

The Nigerian Ombudsman today known as the Public Complaints Commission was the brain child of the Gen. Yakubu Gowon Administration. The Commission was a product of the late Chief Jerome Udoji panel which was empowered by the Gowon-led Federal Government to bring recommendations on how to checkmate abuses in public service which was rampant immediately after the unfortunate civil war. It was at this point that a Commission was established for this purpose. Today, the Public Complaints Commission Act Cap P37 LFN.2004 (PCC Act) in Section 5(2) states that A Commissioner shall have powers to investigate either on his own initiative or following complaints lodged before him by any other person, any administrative action taken by:

a. Any department or Ministry of the Federal or any State Government.

b. Any Department of any Local Government authority (however designated) set up in any state in the Federation.

c. Any statutory Corporation or Public Institution set up by any Government in Nigeria.

d. Any company incorporated under or pursuance to the Companies and Allied Matters Act whether owned by any Government aforesaid or by private individuals in Nigeria or otherwise howsoever; or

e. Any officer or servant of any of the aforementioned bodies.

To underscore the importance of the Public Complaints Commission in Nigeria, Section 315(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) gives it adequate protection.

Nonetheless, since the advent of this current democratic dispensation in 1999, no Commissioner has been appointed into the commission thereby relegating the Commission to the background. On May 18th 2012, the Chief Commissioner and Commissioners were sworn in by the Chairman of the National Assembly and President of the Senate, Distinguished Senator David Mark to lead the Commission, thus marking the dawn of a new era in the life of the Commission.

Under the noble leadership of Hon. Ohaegbu, the FCT office of the Commission has gathered prominent Nigerians in their quest to raise public consciousness through annual seminars. This was much  demonstrated  when eminent Nigerians drawn from various strata of the society and cutting across religious and ethnic lines and members of the international Community stormed the Shehu Yar'Adua  Centre on Thursday July 4th 2013 to honour the Commission's second annual Seminar for the second successive year. The roll call was quite intimidating as eminent statesmen, politicians, businessmen, top government functionaries etc made the list.

Among them are, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida,GCFR, Former Head of State, Distinguished Senator David Mark, Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Ambassador David MacRae, Head,EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, His Excellencies, Executive Governors of Edo and Niger states, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Mu’azuBabangidaAliyu respectively,Senator Bala Mohammed,Honourable Minister of the FCT,PDP's National Chairman, AlhajiBamangaTukur, Dr. ObinnaUzo, Chairman of Gocuz Group and a former People’s Democractic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in the 2013 elections in Anambra state, Barr. OkeyWali(SAN),NBA President.

Others include, Barr. Daniel Elombah,Publisher of Elombah.com,Mr. Segun Adeniyi,former Special Adviser to the late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua on Media and Chairman of Thisday Editorial Board, Public Complaints Commission Commissionersrepresentatives of the EFCC, ICPC,National Human Rights Commission, British High Commission, Japanese Embassy, top government functionaries and bureaucrats. 

The royal fatherswere not left out as their list was unlimited,they include,the Etsu of Kwali,Alhaji Shaban Audu Nizazo III,the Agabe of Gwargwarda and many others.

The event was chaired by His Excellency,General Ibrahim Babangida,GCFR,former Military President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who was represented by Colonel Idris Shaibu (rtd) former military administrator of Niger and Plateau States. In his opening address,the former President regretted his unavoidable absence and however,expressed his gratitude to the FCT Commissioner,Hon. Obunike Ohaegbu “for availing Nigerians the opportunity for the second time in less than 12 months to know about the Commission, its operations and the need for Nigerians to seize the advantage of its services to ventilate perceived injustice in an environment confronted with so much social and economic insecurity".Declaring the seminar open, he further called on Nigerians to support the present leadership of the Commission as they strive to assist government at all levels in delivering good governance for all and addressing administrative injustice.

"The Commission under its present leadership needs the support of every Nigerian, particularly the government to be able to deliver on its core mandate effectively" he said.

Describing the essence of the seminar, the Host, Honourable Obunike Ohaegbu said it was aimed "to create more platforms for promoting public knowledge and understanding of the Ombudsman concept in Nigeria and for a deeper appreciation of its integral role in good governance". He hailed the wisdom of the 7th National Assembly in appointing Commissioners noting that the long absence of the Commissioners has greatly undermined the role of the Commission. He also noted that in the past one year,the Commission, despite numerous challenges,has moved from thin to thick evidenced by the large numbers of complaints lodged at the Commission. An increase he attributed to his unrelenting efforts in creating public awareness. Nigerians according to him“are beginning to appreciate the efforts and importance of the Commission in the FCT and its roles in addressing administrative injustice”.

Acknowledging the contributions of the Commission in addressing administrative injustice within FCT,the FCT Minister who was represented by Mr.Nuhu Ahmed, the FCTA Director of Establishment said in the last one year,the Commission under the dynamic leadership of Honourable Ohaegbu has "engaged in a massive sensitization programmes " which has culminated into a formidable partnership with the FCTA administration as both now work to ensure the entrenchment of good governance and administrative justice in the Capital city. He assured the Commission of the FCTA continued support in delivering on its mandate.

The Niger State governor,Mu'azu Babangida Aliyu  represented  by his Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice,Barr. Abdullahi Wuse delivered a paper on "Insecurity and Administrative Injustice in Northern Nigeria"

While reeling out the commitments of the European Union in fighting corruption and impunity in Nigeria through Judicial reforms, a guest speaker and the Head of European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS,Ambassador David MacRae in his Paper stated that there are other agencies of government that can aid in the fight against impunity and promotion of goodgovernance. He named the Public Complaints Commission as a good vehicle in realizing those goals expressing satisfaction in the efforts of the Commission and FCT Commissioner. "The Public Complaints Commission is one of those. And I have to say I was impressed when the Commissioner for the FCT came to visit me at the EU Delegation and explained to me the range of things the PCC is responsible for." he added.

At the technical session, a  representative of the Nigerian Bar Association’s President delivered a paper on The Role of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) in Promoting Administrative Justice in Nigeria: My Experience As the National President, NBA while the former PDP National Acting Publicity Secretary, Chief Tony Cesar Okeke who represented the ruling Party’s Chairman,Alhaji Bamanga Tukur presented a paper on The Role of the Ruling Party in Promoting Administrative Justice in Nigeria:  My Experience as the National Chairman of the PDP.

The Special Guest of Honour, Distinguished Senator David Mark, the President of the Senate represented by the Senate Committee Chairman on Ethics and Public Petitions, Senator Patrick Ayo Akinyelure, in his speech commended the hardworking FCT Commissioner, Hon. Obunike Ohaegbu for his efforts in repositioning the Commission.

"I wish to congratulate the Honourable Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission FCT for gaining the courage in less than one calendar year to put together 2 successive annual seminars that brought together statesmen including past Heads of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria among other relevant stakeholders. Your activities have continued to gain the attention of government, not only within FCT but also at the federal level. I urge you to improve on your current efforts and where you need support, do not hesitate to contact the relevant authority, primarily, the National Assembly."

However, discussions shifted to issues of human rights when the Keynote Address Speaker,His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole reacting to the speech delivered by the  European Union Head of Delegation to Nigerian and ECOWAS Ambassador David MacRae on abolishment of death penalty in Nigeria said Nigeria is part of the international Community and that the country has its values and holds the sanctity of life in high extreme.

“I do understand that there is no such as universal values. As we speak, nations and humans battle ideas on the basis of different value system  and it will be abuse of my own right and my own value if someone thinks his views are superior to my own value and views” he said.

He defended the signing of death warrants on two armed robbers that were condemned to death in Edo state. He further commended the Commissioner for the reforms he brought to the Commission and called on relevant authorities to accord the Commission more powers, especially prosecution powers to make it more virile.

"If they strengthen the law establishing the PCC such that if you summon a Governor,a Director,a Clerk or whoever you want to summon,if he fails to appear before you,there should be an instrument that you can invoke and if you doesn't see reasons,he can begin to be escorted to Kuje Prisons. That way people will take the Commission more seriously."

Speakers after speakers took the podium to pour encomiums on the host, Barr. Ohaegbu for his visionary leadership. The Director of Investigation, Lady Alice Ladi Yaro gave the closing remarks and the microphone went off as foods and drinks overflowed.

PUBLIC COMPLAINTS COMMISSION FCT, ARRAIGNS WOMAN FOR FAILING TO HONOUR LETTERS AND INVITATION

The Public Complaints Commission FCT, on Tuesday November 12, 2013 arraigned one Mrs. Olaoluwa Netuto, the Proprietress of KNAPPS Academy Abuja for failing to honour the Commission's letters and summons.

She was arraigned before Justice Umaru Kagarako of Abuja Upper Area Court sitting in Karu on one count charge.

The prosecutor, Albert Okara, told the court that the accused, a 50-year-old woman, had failed to respond to the three letters from the Commission since 2011 requesting her to respond to an allegation filed before the Commission against her by one Reuben Ndibe. 

“On the 17th June, 2011, you were written to respond to the allegation and you failed and neglected to respond to the Commission’s letter and on the 13th of September 2011 another letter was written in form of a reminder and you also failed to respond to the letter. On the 13th of February, 2013, you were also invited to the commission through a letter with number PCC/FCT/ C174/2011/21 and you failed to honour the invitation,” he said.

The Accused who pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to her, was accused of failing to furnish the Commissioner with information on an allegation leveled against her contravenes Section 8 Subsection 2 of the Public Complaints Commission Act Cap P37 Laws of the Federation 2004.

She was granted bail in the Sum of N20,000 and surety in like sum. The case was adjourned to February 10,2014 for  hearing.

It will be recalled that in June 2013, the FCT Commissioner of the Commission, Honourable Obunike Ohaegbu while speaking on a Radio programme in Abuja warned that the Commission will no longer condone the neglect of its Letters and summons by members of the Public and any individual who is found wanting, will be made to face the full wrath of the law.

PUBLIC COMPLAINTS COMMISSION ACT BREACH: ‘TWO HEADS OF GOVT AGENCIES, THREE OTHERS FOR PROSECUTION’

The Public Complaints Commission was set up bythe Federal Government to interface between individuals and organizations in any area of disagreement. In this interview, Chief Obunike Ohaegbu, the FCT Commissioner of PCC, says about five organizations are facing prosecution. He also speaks on the efforts to decongest the FCT prisons.  Excerpts:

Recently, you visited Kuje Prisons in FCT. What is your impression and what efforts are you makingto ensure that things are done right?

I visited Kuje Prisons in January 2003 and discovered that the people there were more than the number that ordinarily should be there, and that something had to be done about that. So the first thing I did was to go to the then Chief Judge of FCT, I went with him to the prisons that point, he released 13prisoners  awaiting trial and  then twenty something of them he gave directive for accelerated hearing. But I thought that we still needed to do more because if you notice in other states the governors actually once in a while grant prerogative of mercy to inmates and that is not done here in the FCT because the power to do that is in the president who is more like the governor of the FCT but he has dedicated some of the functions to FCT minister. Unfortunately, however, the power to grant prerogative of mercy was not part of the powers that have been delegated to the FCT minister, so you find that the president who is busy governing the entire country, will not have time to actually visit Kuje Prisons to find out what is happening. So, I wrote to the Attorney General of the Federation who is the Attorney General of the FCT. I requested that he should recommend to the president to establish a prerogative of mercy committee to recommend on the people who he can grant mercy within the FCT and the president has actually done that with the Attorney General of the Federal as the chairman of the Committee.

How many complaints have you received and how have you investigated them?

In June, we treated over 200 cases the ones we received and the ones we initiated. What we do here first because of this legal maxim that says the other party must be heard is to write to the other party that so-so matter have been complained against you and we want you to respond. When we sent that letter, you are now expected to utilise theopportunity to let your own side be heard Section 5, Subsection 7 of the Public Complaints Commission Act said that any letter written to any respondent; the respondent has 30 days to respond. That is not all because Section 8, Subsection 2, of the Act criminalizes failure to respond. So when, we write to the respondent, then, as a reminder, after 30days, we write and remind you that you have not attended to us and you are committing an offence and give you another seven days grace.

People have this erroneous impression that the Public Complaints Commission is a toothlessbulldog, so you find out that when they receive thatletter, they say what will they do? But when theyrealize that failure to respond, they are committingan offence, most of the respondents will call us andsay, ‘oh, when we got the letter, it was already late’or, ‘we didn’t receive the letter’ or, ‘it was passed tothe wrong person’ and all that.I usually say, ‘thank God, you are the one informing me what we intend to do and it didn’t get to the wrong person. I think the response has been very wonderful and I must observe  thatSection 8, Subsection 2 of the Public Complaints Commission says failure to respond is a fine of N500 or imprisonment of six months or both; the Act was actually promulgated  in 1975. As at 1975, I am sure you know the value of N500, so we have now formed a very strong synergy with the Commissioner of Police of the FCT to compilethe names of people we consider recalcitrant respondents, people who find it difficult to respondto us, for prosecution. 

Before the end of this month they are going to be arrested andprosecuted because six months imprisonment and N500 is within the jurisdiction of the magistratecourt; we don’t have to go to the Attorney Generalor anybody; the Commissioner of Police can handlethat.I must mention at this point that we are notprosecuting people for the matters that werereported against them.  The prosecution is forfailure to respond to us, ignoring us feeling thatnothing will happen. The matters that werereported against them are still pending beforePublic Complaints Commission and, once we finishwith their prosecution, they will still come back tous to continue with the matter that actually led tothem being arrested and being prosecuted.

How many people do you intend to prosecute?

We have five recalcitrant respondents, we justcame on board after 13 years without commissioners. We try to create awareness, informNigerians of what we do and the possibleimplications of not responding to us.  I believe andin the opinion of the management here in FCT thatone year is enough for people to know what we doand that is the reason; we organized within oneyear two seminars. So we are starting with the firstset of prosecution now.

Can you name the recalcitrant respondents?

What I can tell you at this point is that two heads of government agencies and three managing directors of private companies are to face trial but you will get to know them as soon as we forwardthe matter to the police.  I am saying this so that itdoes not jeopardize police investigations into the matter.

What are the challenges facing your office and howhave you been able to surmount them?

The first challenge is awareness, public perceptionof Public Complaints Commission.  We areaddressing that aggressively.The second one, I am sure you found it difficult tolocate this place before now. Public Complaints Commission had two buildings in Area 1; unfortunately, a former minister of the FCT chased them out of that place because he said the place was residential area, that there shouldn’t be offices, and because we had no commissioner, there was no alternative arrangement and that was why an institution that was making use of two buildings ended up in two flats here.  You can see how congested it is, but I am grateful to the management of FCTA now. They are making arrangement to find us an alternative office accommodation, the minister of FCT has actually given us land where we are going to build our permanent site. Another issue is the general issue of funding. I am confident that something will be done about that. Even the two seminars we had, the one we organized last year and graced by the founding fathers of the Public Complaints Commission, General Yakubu Gowon and Alhaji Maitama Sule, and the Ike Oha Ndigbo, the Deputy Senate President,  Senator Ike Ekweremadu, and the one we organized this year attended by Babangida and Adams Oshiomhole, the Niger State governor and the Head of the European Union delegation, among others, were financed from my private resources and even the newsletter that we are publishing. But the leadership of fact, the leadership of the National Assembly has assured us that things will improve.

Do you have the power to investigate financial crimes?

If you look at the Act establishing us … as a matter of fact, I just had a meeting with the head of one of the financial institutions and if a complaint has to do with crime, what we do is refer to the relevant agency. I have referred quite a number of cases to such agencies. At the end of the day, the complainant claims he lost N60 million as the bank fraudulently converted his money. He explained that when he complained, what the bank did was to after two years give him N20 million without any compensation and the bank was now saying that he is the one indebted. So what I did was to refer the matter to the EFCC which wrote me back to say the matter is better treated elsewhere because it is not strictly a criminal offence. I have requested to meet with the CBN governor for him to personally intervene in the matter. If you call that economic crime or financial crime it may not be too wrong and if say we are handling it, it may not be too wrong as well.

How have you intervened on the petition by the ex-CBN workers that claimed they were unlawfully disengaged by the apex bank?

As a matter of fact, it is not as if they complained to us. I acted pursuant to the provisions of Section 5, Subsection 2 of the Public Complaints Commission Act that gives me the power as the commissioner to initiate investigation. When I learnt they were trying to demonstrate because they had not had the opportunity to be heard, I rushed to the scene and addressed them.  I have written the CBN governor requesting an appointment to sit down with him and discuss the issue.

Culled from Sunday Vanguard newspaper November 10, 2013

Man thanks Commission for recovering his N5m from estate developer

On November 4, 2013 Dr. Mansur Sulaiman Sadiq, a civil servant petitioned the FCT Commissioner of the Commission alleging that in 2011 he took a loan of N5m from his office to pay Netconstruct Nigeria Limited as deposit for a three bedroom terrace house in Apo district of the FCT and also applied for a loan from the Federal Mortgage Bank to enable him pay for the remaining balance. According to him, the delays in processing the loan prompted the company to write him informing him that he will have to forfeit the house because of his inability to pay up before the stipulated time.

Dr. Mansur then wrote the company demanding for the refund of his money as was promised him in the Terms and Condition but his request was met with excuses. It was at that point that a frustrated Dr. Mansur sought the help of the Commission to assist him recover his money from the Company.

The Commission swung into action and it culminated in their inviting Netconstruct Nigeria Limited to a case conference where they agreed to balance Dr. Mansur's his N5m before 14^th February and even buttressed that point with a letter of undertaking.

When they finally paid, Dr. Mansur Sulaiman Sadiq thanked the Federal Capital Territory's Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission, Hon. Obunike Ohaegbu for helping him recover his five million Naira (N5m) from an estate development company, Netconstruct Nigeria Limited.

In an appreciation letter addressed to the Commissioner dated February 11, 2014 and personally signed by Dr. Mansur, he said he wrote to notify him that Netconstruct has paid the money into his account and to equally thank him and the Commission for their efforts. His exact words,

"It may be recalled that in November 2013 I wrote a petition against Netconstruct Nigeria Limited. I requested the Commission's intervention in getting a refund of 5,000,000 five million Naira from the Company . . . I write to formally notify you that Netconstruct have paid the above sum into my account as promised after the meeting we held at your office on 04/02/2014 . . . I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Commission and pray to God almighty to reward you and your staff abundantly".

COMMISSION HELPS FAMILY RECOVER N18M INSURANCE BENEFITS 8 YEARS AFTER THE DEATH OF BREADWINNER

The family of late Mr. Godfrey Eromona has received the sum of eighteen million, four hundred and forty five thousand, one hundred and forty three Naira (N18,445,143.00) from the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) being the insurance benefits of the deceased after the next of kin,Mrs. Emudia Eromona and her lawyers petitioned the Public Complaints Commission.

In a petitioned lodged at the Lagos Office of the Commission on 4th December, 2012 by the Chambers of Obiefule M. Ogbonna & Co on behalf of Mrs. Eromona, who is also the Administrator to the Estate of Late Godfrey Eromona, they alleged that Late Godfrey Eromona worked for the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Warri, Delta state for 20 years before his death in 2005. They further alleged that "his personal insurance benefits, being the total contributions and deductions made from his salaries over the years by NNPC and its official insurers" has not been paid, noting that they have written the Management of NNPC twice in 2010 demanding that the money be paid to his next of kin but both replies from NNPC merely assured them that they have "commenced investigations and the outcome of it will be communicated to them". Two years after, they failed to hear from the Corporation thus prompting them to approach the Public Complaints Commission for assistance.

 Due to the proximity of the FCT's office of the Commission to the corporate Headquarters of NNPC, the petition was transferred to the FCT office. On receiving the case from our Lagos Office, the FCT Commissioner, Hon. Obunike Ohaegbu directed that on-the-spot investigations be conducted to ascertain facts of the matter. It was on the conclusion of the investigations that it was discovered that Late Eromona's insurance benefit is yet to be paid to his next of kin. The Hon. Commissioner further directed that the management of the NNPC be written, requesting them to pay the deceased next of kin, his due entitlements.

Months of exchanging correspondences yielded results as the Corporation's Secretary wrote the Commissioner on 10th July,2013 to inform him that Late Eromona's entitlements, totalling the sum of eighteen million, four hundred and forty five thousand, one hundred and forty three Naira (N18,445,143.00) has been paid into the First Bank of Nigeria account held by the deceased next of kin, attaching a copy of the payment slip.

2011 Election violence: INEC moves to pay compensation after victim petitions Complaints Commission

Relief may at last come the way of Master Austin Obochi Attah after the Federal Capital Territory's office of the Public Complaints Commission intervened to facilitate the processing of his insurance claims three years after he was involved in the violence that rocked the 2011 general elections in Borno state.

Mr. Obochi, an ex-corp member who did his one year compulsory National Youth Service in Borno state and was engaged as INEC's adhoc staff in the 2011 general elections had on 11th October 2013 petitioned the Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission FCT, Hon. Obunike Ohaegbu alleging that the Independent National Electoral Commission and their insurer, Niger Insurance PLC are yet to pay him his insurance claims despite fulfilling the requirements stipulated by the insurer.

Efforts of the Commission to address the perceived injustice yielded positive results in January 2014 when the Secretary of INEC wrote the Commissioner in a letter dated 21 January,2014 to inform him that master Obochi's discharge vouchers are ready and with the Borno State's Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) requiring " his (Obochi's) consent and acceptance of the insurance claims/benefits as stated in the relevant Discharge Vouchers" before the payments can be effected. He was further advised to contact the REC in Maiduguri to complete the payment conditions.

56 CBN Casual Labourers petition Complaints Commission demanding end to casualisation

56 casual labourers of the Central Bank of Nigeria have petitioned the Federal Capital Territory's office of the Public Complaints Commission over the apex bank's refusal to offer them permanent employment after 15 years of engagement.

The workers led by their leader, one Mr. Emmanuel Agbaigba in a petition dated February 25,2014, titled ' Application for permanent employment and pleading for the abolishment of the evil modern slavery called the casualization of labour' signed by 55 others and addressed to the FCT Commissioner of the Commission, Hon. Obunike Ohaegbu, the petitioners alleged that they were engaged by the CBN more than 15 years ago and their job schedules include loading and unloading of 'aluminium boxes or jumbo boxes containing money from the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company strong rooms to CBN strong rooms nationwide. This is known as mint movement'. 

They also claimed that they were charged with the 'responsibility of burning of grounded mutilated currency notes', which they described as 'one of the most risky jobs'. They wondered why the apex bank is yet to make their appointment permanent despite several repeated appeals to the management and hazards associated with the job. They further cited the Labour Law which equally frowns at casualisation and the need for the CBN to obey such.

"The CBN has being using us for more than a decade now without giving us permanent employment and the Labour Law says that if any organisation engages a person or group of people for the period of six(6) months he or she should be considered a substantial staff in that organisation" they said.

The aggrieved workers said they resorted to the Commission for help because they are law abiding citizens and resolved to restrain themselves from actions that will lead to breach of public peace. They appealed to the Commissioner to use his office to bring an end to their plight.

"We beg of you, the voice of the voiceless and the last hope of the common man to order our permanent employment or compensation for the selfless services we have rendered to the economy" they added.

The Commission's Commissioner, Hon. Ohaegbu who received the petition commended the aggrieved workers for their decision not to employ violent means in pressing for their demands and assured them of the Commission's readiness to ensure their grievances are adequately addressed.

Power Supply: Complaints Commission boss tasks power Company on improved services

The Federal Capital Territory's Commissioner of the Public Complaints Commission, Hon. Obunike Ohaegbu has tasked the management of the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company to ensure customers enjoy quality services.

Hon. Ohaegbu made the call in Abuja on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 when he paid a courtesy call to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Mr. Neil Croucher. The Commissioner said his office has been inundated with petitions from aggrieved customers on the quality of services rendered by the company and has come to enquire on how the company is tackling them. Assuring the management that the Commission is not out to harass or witch-hunt them, he said;

"I must emphasise that the Public Complaints Commission is not a fault finding institution. We don't go about trying to find fault from organisations. What we try to do is to use the platform we have, the government has created for individuals to address issues"

Mr. Croucher while acknowledging the complaints said most of them arose from the old system they met on ground when they took over the company from the defunct PHCN and pledged his company's commitments towards putting in place an efficient system.

"We hope to turn it around but to be realistic it's not something we can turn around overnight. Hopefully,  there are improvements " he said.

On complaints arising from the old billing system Mr. Croucher added;

"We have an investment plan; a key part of reducing the losses is to install metres. We have a programme of installing about 100,000 meters per year because we believe that the right of every customer is to be properly and accurately metered on the power they consume. But it's not just going to people's premises and put in a meter, in many cases you actually have to rewire the whole area. You don't just put meter on top of a bad system"

Speaking further, Mr. Ernest Mupwaya, the Company's Executive Director, Commercial Services revealed that plans are underway to roll out complaints hotline to customers.

"We will advertise numbers, we already have two numbers and we will extensively advertise these numbers to be accessed 24/7 by our customers . . . that System will help us enhance the way we handle complaints and it will give us a true picture of how many complaints we are handling,the level of satisfaction and how we are improving in our services" he said.

The Commissioner however commended the new management for the quick response time in which they now respond to the Commission's letters. He reiterated the importance of the power sector to the growth of the Nigerian economy.

"I believe that if we get the power sector right, every other thing will fall in place".

Mr. Croucher thanked the Commissioner for the visit and assured him that their doors are open to his Commission anytime they want to assess how things are going on in the company or 'if you need generic information on distribution companies'.

MTN seeks collaboration with Public Complaints Commission

Telecommunication giant, MTN Nigeria has sought the collaboration of the Federal Capital Territory's office of the Public Complaints Commission in improving their customer care services.

The Company's Senior Manager, Commercial Legal Services, Mr. Rotimi Odusola disclosed this in Abuja on Thursday when he led  a delegation of the Company to the office of the FCT's Commissioner of the Commission, Hon. Obunike Ohaegbu. Mr. Odusola said his Company sent him to come and learn more about the activities of the Commission and explore ways his company can collaborate with the Commission to enhance customers’ services.

"We recognise the importance of the Commission does and the essence of the meeting is for us to first and foremost acknowledge the work of the Commission being one that is responsible for dealing with the general public,we are also in a business that deals with the general public, without the general public we don't have a business.

"It is more of a visit to better understand the activities of the Commission,with the aim of helping us as an organisation to say okay,this is how we better collaborate with the Commission in the manner that results in an improved experience for our customers who are your own primary Constituency" he said.

There might be preponderance of complaints that you might have received from the members of the public, I think it is to our own benefit that we come and hear from you directly. Strategically we are taking steps that will help us to address those things on a holistic basis" he added.

In his response, Hon. Obunike briefed the delegation on the mandate of the Commission which includes powers to inquire into complaints by members of the public concerning administrative actions of any public authorities and companies and assured them that his Commission will welcome collaborations with the Company. He equally urged them to assist the Commission in delivering on its mandate more especially with its numerous awareness campaigns.

Breach of Contractual agreement: Public Complaints Commission recovers businessman's N.5m from Church

The Federal Capital Territory's office of the Public Complaints Commission has recovered the sum of five hundred and twenty three thousand Naira (N523,000) belonging to one Mr. Moses Oche, a businessman based in Abuja from his debtor, the Christ Embassy Church, Durumi also in Abuja.

Mr. Oche had on 6^th November 2013 petitioned the Commission's Commissioner, Hon. Obunike Ohaegbu over what he described as the 'deliberate refusal' of the Church to pay him for the 421 square metres of carpet and 400 square metres of 'underlayer' foam he supplied to them on September 14,2013. According to him, the agreement with the Church, represented by Pastor Nancy Dike also included the installation of the carpet in the church with an assurance from them that he will be paid on Monday September 14 2013. He further alleged that on September 15, 2013 while the installation work was at about 98% completion, Pastor Nancy suddenly ordered him to remove the carpet claiming it was a sub-standard one. Mr. Oche told her that the carpet in question was still the same one they agreed on but such explanations fell on deaf ears as the Pastor insisted that he must remove the carpet and forfeit the payment. A bitter Mr. Oche approached the Commission to compel the Church to fulfil the contractual agreement he entered into with them.

The Commission's Commissioner, Hon.Ohaegbu directed that preliminary investigations be conducted to ascertain Mr. Oche's claims at the end of which he wrote the Church's Senior Pastor inviting him to a meeting at the Commission's office so that he can respond to the allegations levelled against his church by Mr. Oche. However, the Church on two different occasions refused to take delivery of the Commissioner's invitation letters. Irked by this development, the Commissioner issued summons to the Senior Pastor to appear before him on December 10, 2013. He eventually showed up and apologised for rejecting the Commissioner's letters. After listening to both parties,the Commissioner directed the Senior Pastor, represented by Pastors Nancy Dike and Kolapo Oluseye to pay Mr. Oche for the carpet he supplied to them and work done.

When the Church was not forthcoming with the payment as directed by the Commissioner, the Commissioner again invited the Senior Pastor to a meeting  on March 12,2014 to explain why they are yet to comply with his directive. The church through their counsel Barr. Gabriel Obunezi of the Obunezi and Obunezi Chambers on March 7 2014 wrote the Commissioner to inform him that they have agreed to comply with his directive to pay the sum of five hundred and twenty three thousand naira (N523,000) to Mr. Oche. On March 10, 2014 a Zenith Bank PLC cheque bearing the above sum and Oche's name was sent to the Commissioner by the Church to be given to Mr. Oche.

An elated Mr. Oche who came to the Commission's office to pick the cheque on March 12, 2014 in his appreciation letter wrote;

" I want to seize this opportunity to say thank you to the Honourable Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission FCT,for helping me to recover my money . . .  I say may the almighty God bless and reward you.”