If You’re Using Electricity Meter, READ THIS Immediately As NERC Makes Surprising Announcement [Full Details Inside]
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a strong warning to electricity consumers, advising them not to pay for the replacement of faulty or obsolete meters. According to the Commission, it is the responsibility of electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to replace such meters at no cost to the customers.
In a statement released on Monday, NERC clarified that as long as a meter has not been tampered with by the user, DisCos must replace it without any financial burden on the consumer. The statement also emphasized that no customer should be forced back to estimated billing due to a faulty meter.
NERC stated, ” 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 warned that any DisCo found violating this directive would face regulatory penalties, reiterating its commitment to protecting the rights and interests of electricity consumers across the country.
Meanwhile, consumer advocacy group, the Association for Public Policy Analysis, has called for a probe into the utilization of the N200 billion Mass Metering Fund provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria. The fund, intended to provide meters to millions of Nigerians in three phases, has reportedly been mismanaged, leaving over 7 million customers subjected to estimated billing.
Chief Princewill Okorie, President of the group, said, ” Our research has revealed that a seed capital of N200 billion was invested to facilitate the programme… We call on the House of Representatives Committee on Banking Regulations not to fail Nigerian electricity consumers who are expecting the outcome of their investigation to address the challenges of metering in the electricity sector. ”
This announcement from NERC is a wake- up call to all electricity consumers to know their rights and resist any attempt by DisCos to make them pay for faulty meter replacements.
