No directive to phase out Unistar meters, NERC assures

• Orders replacement of phased-out units
• Warns against estimated billing for customers

Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has declared that there is no directive to phase out Unistar meters, which are still operational across various Distribution Companies (DisCos).

The commission stated that any meter currently being replaced by DisCos must be substituted with functional units, ensuring no disruption to customers’ metering needs.

This comes amid ongoing efforts to bridge Nigeria’s over seven million metering gap, which has been a major challenge in ensuring accurate billing and efficient electricity distribution.

Vice Chairman, NERC, Dr Musiliu Oseni, told The Guardian that there was no official directive yet on phasing out Unistar meters. He clarified that the issue of phasing them out was currently being handled, operationally, by the DisCos.

According to him, the issue related to the TID rollover, a technology that is becoming outdated. If not upgraded to the SDSG system, it will become difficult for customers to purchase electricity.

Oseni emphasised that Unistar meters were not upgradable, and would eventually need to be phased out.

“Operationally, if they say those meters are not upgradable, they can decide to phase it out. But as you remove the meter based on the rule, they must replace them as it’s their responsibility to replace,” he said.

He stressed that during the phase-out process, no customer should be placed on estimated billing, pointing out that if customers were asked to purchase meters under the MAP framework.