THE Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) yesterday announced further restrictions on the importation of meters. Distribution Companies (DISCOS) are now to patronise local meter manufacturers.

Meter producers have over the years complained of glut because the DISCOS prefer to import the meters that they use.

But to give bite to the local content obligation in metering of customers, NERC has imposed restrictions on certification of meter importers. NERC Chairman, Dr. Sam Amadi, told newsmen in Abuja yesterday: “We demanded that every such importer must produce proof that the distribution company that gives its supply order cannot source such number of meters from local manufacturers.

In other words, as long as there is available supply from local manufacturers to meet demand by DISCOS, NERC will not approve importation of meters. Many importers of meters, especially Chinese firms, have applied to NERC to lift the strict condition for the grant of approval to import meters.

They have also requested for an interim licenses for six months after which they will establish meter manufacturing plants in Nigeria.” The Commission has also issued an order setting the cap on what DISCOS can charge on unmetered customers. The order however, has a moratorium of four months.

This, Amadi added, is to allow the DISCOS to appropriately adjust their metering programme. “All estimates being imposed by DISCOS within the moratorium period shall be strict based on the Commission Billing Estimation Methodology. As soon as the capping regulation commences, the extant regulation on estimation methodology will be vacated,” he noted.

Amadi urged customers to stop engaging in criminal acts of stealing power, describing it as sabotage. “It is in the interest of consumers to report their neighbour who engage in such criminal activities to the distribution companies and the security forces.

By protecting electrical installations, we reduce the cost of electricity generation, transmission and distribution. And we benefit in terms of improved power supply and lower tariff. “As NERC decide to push the distribution companies to high levels of efficiency and customer accountability, it has authorised distribution companies to take the severest actions possible to prevent, detect and prosecute customers who by-pass or clone meters, tamper with electrical installation or in any way defraud them of approved revenue.

We call on the police authorities to step up prevention and prosecution of criminal activities in the electricity market.” He went on: “Just this week, we received petition from some local meter manufacturers alleging that some distribution companies have violated the local content obligation by installing imported meters when there are locally manufactured meters. We have started investigation of the allegation.

Distribution companies should note that the Commission would mete out severe sanctions to any operator who violates the regulations on metering and local content.”

The NERC chief added: “In the last two weeks, there has been so much agitation by local manufacturers of meter on low patronage by the distribution companies. They have claimed that foreign meter manufactures are being patronised to their detriment and call on NERC to protect local industry.

It is important to make it clear that the Nigerian electricity industry is designed to be efficient and competitive so that customers have access to adequate and reliable electricity at affordable prices. It is not designed to restrain free trade. But rather, it is designed to contribute maximally to the growth of the Nigerian economy.