By Jane Okafor, Abuja
ABUJA: The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission(NERC) has directed Nigerians, particularly customers of electricity distribution companies (Discos) to report any DisCo asking consumers to apply and pay for replacement of obsolete and faulty meters.
NERC said the it was aware that some DisCos had instructed customers to apply and pay for the replacement of faulty and obsolete meters within their franchise areas, but added that such instruction was in violation of the Commission’s Order No. NERC/246/2021 on the Structured Replacement of Faulty and Obsolete end-use Customer Meters in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
The Commission explained that the Order clearly stated that no customer with a meter should be forcefully migrated to estimated billing, stressing that If any customer’s meter was adjudged by any DisCo to be obsolete or faulty, it becomes the responsibility of the DisCo to replace the meter free of charge, provided that the fault was not caused by the customer.
This latest development was shared by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on its social media handle on Tuesday, November 26.
“The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission is aware that some Distribution Companies (DisCos) have instructed customers to apply and pay for the replacement of faulty and obsolete meters within their franchise areas. This instruction contravenes the Commission’s Order No. NERC/246/2021 on the Structured Replacement of Faulty and Obsolete end-use Customer Meters in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
“The Order clearly states that no customer with a meter should be forcefully migrated to estimated billing. If any customer’s meter is adjudged by any DisCo to be obsolete or faulty, it is the responsibility of the DisCo to replace the meter free of charge, provided that the fault was not caused by the customer.
“The Commission restates its commitment to protect customers’ interests and rights by ensuring compliance with established regulatory standards and enforcing regulatory penalties for non-compliance by its licensees.
“We urge customers to report cases of non-compliance to the Order by any DisCo through the following channels:
Phone:
1.07000 CALL NERC (07000 2255 6372)
2.0201 344 4331
3.0908 899 9244
Email: complaints@nerc.gov.ng,” NERC stated.
