The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a strong warning to Distribution Companies (DisCos) engaging in the practice of instructing customers to apply and pay for the replacement of faulty or obsolete electricity meters.
NERC stated that this practice violated its Order No. NERC/246/2021, “which governs the structured replacement of such meters in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI).”
The Commission clarified that under this regulation, “it is the sole responsibility of DisCos to replace faulty or obsolete meters at no cost to the customer.
“This provision applies except in cases where the fault or damage to the meter is directly attributable to the customer.”
NERC also reiterated that customers who have meters must not be forced to switch to estimated billing due to meter issues.
In a public statement, NERC reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding the rights and interests of electricity consumers.
The regulatory body stressed that it would take stringent measures to ensure that all licensed DisCos comply with established standards.
Furthermore, NERC warned that any non-compliance with these directives would result in regulatory penalties.
To empower customers, NERC urged the public to report any instances of non-compliance or irregular practices by DisCos. Customers can submit complaints through designated reporting channels provided by the Commission to ensure that such issues are promptly addressed.
This move underscores NERC’s determination to enhance transparency and fairness within the electricity sector while promoting accountability among service providers.
