Bal©: The Energy Sector Regulatory Authority (ARSE) organized an information and awareness meeting in Boromo, focusing on the service regulations of the National Electricity Company of Burkina Faso (SONABEL) for electricity consumers. This initiative aimed to enhance consumer understanding of service regulations and the protective mechanisms available within the energy sector regulations framework.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the meeting was a first between SONABEL and its customers in Boromo, featuring several presentations and discussions. SONABEL’s presentation, led by Inoussa Kima, head of the SONABEL agency in Koudougou, detailed the customer journey, covering steps from requesting quotes and connections to handling complaints, and emphasized users’ rights and obligations. The company also introduced the “e-Guichet,” a digital solution to facilitate access to services through digital platforms, which sparked interest and discussions among participants.
ARSE contributed by presenting two communications to deepen understanding of its regulatory role. The first session, “Consumer Protection by ARSE,” was led by Damba Ouoba, the Director in charge of consumer affairs. The second, presented by Salomo Ouoba, a legal expert in ARSE’s legal affairs and litigation department, focused on “dispute resolution between operators and consumers,” elucidating complaint handling mechanisms and recourse options in the event of disputes.
The gathering saw participation from local authorities, consumers, and teams from ARSE and SONABEL. Stakeholders noted that the meeting achieved its objectives, as evidenced by the quality discussions and participant engagement. Yaya Soura, a technical advisor representing the ARSE president, highlighted the success of the forum, acknowledging the commitment of both local authorities and participants.
Mohamed Ouattara, director of the SONABEL commercial agency in Koudougou, emphasized the significance of the ARSE initiative in minimizing misunderstandings due to information gaps between operators and users. Esai Bamogo, president of Boromo’s special delegation, expressed gratitude to ARSE for the initiative, which aims to enhance understanding and collaboration between SONABEL and its subscribers.
Participants concluded that the meeting was a valuable initiative, providing a platform for exchanges between SONABEL and its users, driven by ARSE’s regulatory oversight in the energy sector.