NERC warns DisCos against estimated billing, sharp practices

• Asks customers to report errant companies

Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has warned Distribution Companies (DisCos) against selling meters to replace outdated or faulty ones, and against estimated billing for metered customers.

The directive was issued amid DisCos announcement to phase out Unistar meters as they were no longer compatible with the new STS 2.0 metering system. NERC emphasised that the commission was aware that some DisCos had instructed customers to apply and pay for the replacement of faulty and obsolete meters within their franchise areas.

The commission said the DisCos instructing customers to apply and pay for meters contravened 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 (NESI).

“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,” NERC stated.

The directive by NERC is coming after the directive by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) and Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDP) to immediately halt the replacement of Unistar prepaid meters due to their non-compliance with directives from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

NERC, however, urged customers to report cases of non-compliance to the Order by any DisCo through their channels displayed via their social media X handle.