Replace prepaid meters without charging consumers, FCCPC tells DisCos

Replace prepaid meters without charging consumers, FCCPC tells DisCos

THE Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, yesterday, urged Electric Distribution Companies, DISCOs, to carry energy consumers along before classifying them into bands and adhere strictly to industry regulations on billing unmetered consumers.

FCCPC’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Tunji Bello said this at a stakeholders’ meeting at the FCCPC headquarters in Abuja.

Representatives of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), various electricity distribution companies (DISCOs), and Unistar Hitech Systems Limited attended the meeting.

He urged them to address pressing metering issues impacting Nigerian consumers.

Citing noncompliance with NERC’s order, FCCPC directed Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company, IKEDC, and Eko Electricity Distribution Company, EKEDP, to immediately halt their replacement of Unistar prepaid meters.

His words: “From our analysis of consumer complaints, it is clear that electricity consumers routinely endure problems related to billing, metering, transformers, connections, disconnections, and customer service, among others.

“Regrettably, many of these challenges, from billing inaccuracies to inadequate customer care, are human-made. They stem from systemic inefficiencies and a troubling culture of impunity among certain service providers.

“The FCCPC Act (FCCPA) and current NERC regulations grant consumers rights, including rights to fair treatment and transparent billing.

“However, complaints reveal that consumers are often forced to pay upfront for meters without reimbursement, contrary to established guidelines under the NERC Meter Asset Provider and National Mass Metering Regulations 2021, which stipulate reimbursement through energy credits.

“Furthermore, customers with faulty meters are randomly placed on estimated billing by some DisCos, a practice that is prohibited by NERC.”

Bello said although Nigeria faces power shortages, it does not justify systemic abuses against consumers.

“Going forward, regulatory breaches in the industry will be met with immediate corrective action.

“DisCos have no excuse for failing to follow proper procedures, including reimbursement for meter purchases and ensuring faulty meters are promptly replaced.”

Also speaking, the Assistant Manager at NEMSA, Okeme Obiabo, said it is important the DisCos follow due process for meter replacement.

Obiabo said: “We’ve been addressing obsolete meters, and distribution companies must adhere to the procedures for replacing them. Meter testing and certification are essential, and DisCos are responsible for carrying out these replacements and ensuring that faulty meters are replaced promptly.”

On his part, head of consumer engagement at NERC, Zubair Babatunde reiterated the commission’s commitment to consumer protection, specifically regarding the replacement of obsolete meters.