Respect directives on obsolete meters, FCCPC warns DisCos

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has warned the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) and the Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) not to flout its directives on obsolete meters.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Director, Corporate Affairs, FCCPC, Ondaje Ijagwu, said, “Any attempt by these DisCos to proceed in contravention of it will attract severe consequences.”

Addressing rumours, Ijagwu said the approval of new meter prices by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has no connection with the proposed replacement of Unistar meters by IKEDC and EKEDC.

He further stated that the planned replacement has been invalidated by the FCCPC and NERC, adding that there is no indication that the affected DisCos have breached the FCCPC directives.

He said the withdrawal or replacement of the Unistar meters cannot be done without compliance with NERC’s Order on Structured Replacement of Faulty and Obsolete End-user Customer Meters in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (Order No. NERC/246/2021).

“The order mandates that meter replacements must be prompt, without disrupting service and at no cost to the consumer; and ensuring that consumers are not subjected to estimated billing due to delayed installations,” he said.

Ijagwu warned that a breach of the directives by IKEDC and EKEDC will attract stiff penalties in line with the provisions of existing consumer protection laws.