By Milcah Tanimu
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has reminded electricity distribution companies (DisCos) that they must replace faulty or obsolete prepaid meters at no cost. The commission encouraged Nigerians to report any DisCo demanding payment for meter replacements, stating this practice violates its rules.
On October 18, NERC ordered DisCos to replace outdated meters across their areas of operation. Following this, Ikeja Electric (IKEDC) and Eko Electric (EKEDC) announced plans to discontinue support for Unistar prepaid meters due to upgrades and token identifier (TID) rollover issues.
Reports from November 11 revealed that some DisCos asked customers to pay for replacing functional meters. In a response, NERC issued a statement clarifying that its Order No. NERC/246/2021 forbids this. The order requires DisCos to replace faulty or obsolete meters without charging customers.
“No customer with a prepaid meter should be switched to estimated billing,” NERC said. “DisCos must replace faulty meters at no cost unless the customer caused the damage.”
NERC Protects Consumer Rights
The Commission assured consumers that it will enforce compliance with these regulations. It warned DisCos that violations would attract penalties. NERC also urged customers to report any cases of non-compliance.
On October 22, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) met with electricity stakeholders after customers complained about delays and costs of meter replacement. The FCCPC directed DisCos to replace meters without charging customers and minimize disruptions during the process.
Key Takeaways for Customers
- Free Replacement: DisCos must handle meter replacements without charging customers.
- No Estimated Billing: Customers should not face estimated billing during replacements.
- Report Violations: Consumers can report any violations to NERC.
NERC remains committed to holding DisCos accountable and ensuring fairness in Nigeria’s electricity sector.
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