The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a stern warning to electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) against coercing customers with defective meters into the estimated billing system.
The regulator has underscored that such actions not only violate its directives but also infringe upon customer rights.
In a statement released on Monday, November 18, NERC expressed its concern following reports of some DisCos instructing customers to seek and bear the cost of replacing faulty or outdated meters within their designated areas.
“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,” the statement read.
The commission has emphasized that this approach is in contravention of its Order No. NERC/246/2021, which outlines the structured replacement of faulty and obsolete end-use customer meters within the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).
According to the directive, it is the DisCos’ responsibility to replace any faulty or obsolete meters at no cost to the customer, as long as the defect was not the customer’s fault. Furthermore, the directive prohibits the forced relocation of customers with functioning meters to the estimated billing system.
NERC has reaffirmed its dedication to protecting consumer rights and ensuring compliance among its licensees. “The Commission is resolute in defending the interests of consumers by ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and will impose penalties on any DisCos found to be non-compliant,” the statement concluded.
Customers are encouraged to report any instances of non-compliance through NERC’s designated channels. This cautionary notice comes at a time when challenges persist in the Nigerian electricity sector, with issues related to meter replacement and billing transparency continuing to concern consumers.
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