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By Agatha Chitumu, Abuja
DAILY COURIER - The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has declared an illegal move by the Electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) to compel electricity consumers to pay for the replacement of obsolete meters.
The move according to NERC contravened its 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 warned that no customer with a meter should be forcefully migrated to estimated billing on the account of obsolete meters.
In a statement issued by NERC via X (formerly Twitter) stated that it is the responsibility of the DisCo to replace the meter free of charge provided that the fault is not caused by the customer.
The commission, however, asked the affected electricity consumers to report cases of non-compliance to the Order by any DisCo through all its channels.
“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’’, the statement added.
