By Damilare Adeleye
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a warning to Distribution Companies (DisCos) attempting to charge customers for replacing faulty or obsolete meters.
The electricity regulatory commission issued the warning in a statement issued on Monday following reports that DisCos in some states and regions in the country have been asking customers to apply and pay a certain amount of money for replacement of their meters.
The NERC said the instruction by DisCos is illegal and 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 NERC stated that according to Order No. NERC/246/2021, DisCos are obligated to replace such meters free of charge, except in cases where the customer caused the damage.
The Commission also reiterated that no customer should be forcefully moved to estimated billing due to faulty meters.
In a statement posted on its X page, the NERC said: “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”