By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE NIGERIAN Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has mandated DisCos to provide new meters at no cost to customers, emphasizing compliance with regulatory guidelines.
This follows Nigerians raising concerns about electricity distribution companies (DisCos) requiring customers to pay for outdated or faulty meter replacements.
NERC’s directive followed reports that some DisCos, including Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC) and Eko Electric Distribution Company (EKEDC), issued notices requiring customers to replace Unistar prepaid meters.
These meters, deployed over a decade ago, face obsolescence due to technological upgrades and token identifier (TID) rollover issues, with a replacement deadline set for November 14.
The regulatory body condemned such practices, stating they violate its Order No. NERC/246/2021 on the structured replacement of faulty meters.
This directive explicitly prohibits forcing customers onto estimated billing or charging them for replacement meters, unless the damage was customer-induced.
NERC reminded DisCos that the financial responsibility for upgrading or replacing outdated meters lies entirely with them.
The agency insists that customers should not face additional financial burdens for issues arising from technological changes or product inefficiencies.
To safeguard consumer rights, NERC also urged customers to report any instances of non-compliance. “It is the responsibility of the DisCos to replace obsolete or faulty meters free of charge.
“Customers must not be forcefully transitioned to estimated billing systems,” NERC reiterated in its statement.
This development underscores the ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s power sector, where regulatory enforcement remains crucial to protecting consumer interests.
NERC’s intervention aims to ensure that service providers adhere strictly to policies and maintain transparency in their operations.
