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Faulty Meter Replacements Are Free - NERC tell Nigerians

Esther

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has firmly advised electricity consumers not to pay for the replacement of faulty meters.


This directive shows the responsibility of electricity distribution companies, commonly known as DisCos, to replace defective meters at no cost to the consumer, provided that the fault was not caused by the customer.


The Commission's statement, issued on November 18, 2024, comes in response to reports that some DisCos have been instructing customers to apply and pay for the replacement of faulty or obsolete meters. Such practices are in direct violation of NERC’s Order No. NERC/246/2021, which mandates that no customer with a meter should be forcefully migrated to estimated billing.


The order clearly states, “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.”


NERC has reiterated its commitment to protecting consumer interests and rights by ensuring compliance with established regulatory standards.


The Commission has also emphasized its readiness to enforce penalties for non-compliance among its licensees.


This situation highlights ongoing regulatory challenges within Nigeria's electricity sector, particularly concerning consumer protection and the enforcement of compliance. As of the end of the second quarter of 2024, data from NERC revealed that only 45 percent of the 13.19 million customers in the industry had meters, leaving seven million customers subjected to estimated billing.


This statistic further emphasizes the importance of adhering to regulatory standards to ensure fair billing practices.




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