News
NERC to fine DisCos over wrongful power disconnections
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) says it is proposing to impose fines on electricity distribution companies (DisCos) for wrongfully disconnecting customers from power supply.
This information was made available on NERC website titled “Consultation Paper on Review of Customer Protection Regulations in The Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI)”, signed by Sanusi Garba, its chairman.
The paper proposed that any DisCo which disconnects a customer’s supply in violation of this regulation, commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to pay the customer a penalty.
The penalties as specified in the regulation are residential N1,000, commercial N1,500 and industrial N2,000.
“A DisCo which disconnects a customer supply in violation of these regulators, shall compensate the customer on equivalent of 100 per cent daily energy Cap for everyday the wrongful disconnection lasts,” NERC said.
“This shall be determined based on the previous month bill or consumption,
“ In the event of a property left unoccupied for a period of time following the exit of the occupant, a new occupant of a premises should contact the DisCo on their first day of moving into the premises.
“Which the DisCos should take into consideration for billing such customers.”
The commission noted that where a new occupant fails to inform the DisCo of the commencement date, it shall be deemed to be a continuation of the old occupant regime.
NERC said that the new occupant shall take responsibility for the payment of any outstanding bills.
“The paper proposed that when a DisCo has overcharged a customer, it should advice the customer in writing within five days of becoming aware of the error,” NERC added.
“And should repay the amount by crediting the exact amount of the overcharge to the customers’ next bill.
“On the other hand, NERC has proposed that, in the case of undercharge from incorrect billing, the DisCos may establish the undercharge and recover the amount for not less than three months.
“On replacement of faulty or obsolete meter, NERC said that a meter shall be considered faulty and not in compliance with the Distribution Metering Code, if it is determined that any part on that metering system does not comply with the code.”
The commission said if a metering system fault occurred, the DisCo should provide urgent metering service to repair or replace the metering system, as soon as possible.
The NERC also proposed that customers requiring connection to their residences or premises shall be responsible to pay the approved connection charges required by the DisCos as approved by the commission.
“While the distribution licensee shall be responsible for the connection to the customer’s metering point.
“The distribution licensee shall, within 48 hours of the provision of the requisite materials in the right quantity and quality by the customer, effect connection of supply Io the customer’s residence or premises.”
It said that in “pursuant to section 80 of the Act establishing NERC, the commission developed some customer protection regulations to protect the interest of the consumers and provide safeguards for customers from being abused by the operators.”
According to NERC, in view of the sector’s development and changes to policy, regulatory and operational landscapes, over a decade, since the time when the regulations were issued the commission is desirous of reviewing the regulations.
It said this was to align them with the current market realities to ensure that the interests of customers were adequately protected.
“This consultation paper seeks for stakeholders’ comments on the proposed amendments to the following customer protection regulatory instruments.”
News
Rivers: Wike, Magnus Abe settle long-standing rift
Rivers: Wike, Magnus Abe settle long-standing rift
In a move to mend fences and foster unity within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, a former lawmaker, Senator Magnus Abe, has publicly announced making peace with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Abe, who had been embroiled in a feud with Wike due to their different positions on political issues, expressed his commitment to ending the rift.
The former lawmaker said in his Facebook post, “I have made peace with the Honourable Minister of the FCT, and former governor of Rivers State.”
Emphasising the importance of unity, Abe said he accompanied Wike to Chief Tony Okocha’s thanksgiving ceremony, a gesture he described as “show[ing] that my commitment to end the rift in our party is total.”
Abe commended Wike’s approach to resolving the conflict, stating, “I want to publicly thank the minister; he (Wike) could have behaved like other politicians—made peace with me, and still encourage me, Tony (Okocha) and others to continue fighting. But his style is direct, truthful, and sincere, and it will create a united team.”
He expressed his belief that the APC in Rivers State would benefit from the “process of peaceful reunification and reintegration.”
Abe further said, “The disagreements within are over and done for good because the oxygen for conflict has been extinguished.”
He acknowledged that while it might take time, the result would be a united front, as “all those with us, who sincerely wish us well, will go with us and tow the path of unity because we all know that it is the right way to go.”
Extending his gratitude to Okocha, who hosted the thanksgiving ceremony, Abe said, “Let me also thank Chief Okocha; of course, he knew I was coming, and he received me well.”
Reaffirming his allegiance to the APC, Abe declared, “My home is in the APC. Let us come together. Everyone will benefit from us working together.”
While acknowledging the need for further discussions, Abe urged the party faithful to focus on the economy for the time being.
“When it is time, we will speak. For now, make I dey my dey. Let us focus on the economy. God bless you all,” he stated.
In July 2022, the former representative of Rivers South-East Senatorial District at the National Assembly dumped the APC in Rivers State.
However, Abe, who was the Rivers State governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the 2023 election, formally announced his return to the APC in January 2024.
Abe dumped the APC for the SDP ahead of the 2023 election, where he secured the party’s ticket to contest the governorship election.
Rivers: Wike, Magnus Abe settle long-standing rift
News
Yahaya Bello govt spending third term in office through Ododo – Clark
Yahaya Bello govt spending third term in office through Ododo – Clark
Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, says the former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, administration was nothing to write home about.
This is even as he asked the embattled former governor to surrender himself to the authorities.
Bello has been in the news for days on end over money laundering and financial impropriety.
He was declared wanted after he evaded the economic and financial crimes commission (EFCC) who had stormed his Abuja residence to apprehend him.
Speaking on Bello’s time as the governor of the middle belt state, Clark, who is the leader of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, stated that state sponsored violence, corruption, civilian repression and political killings were rife when Bello was in office.
READ ALSO:
- IPOB declares sit-at-home May 30 to honour Biafra heroes
- ‘Unfounded accusation’ – Obi slams Umahi over instigation of Igbo against Tinubu claim
- Court sends tenant to prison for setting landlord’s house on fire
Clark also pointed out that Bello is still running the show in Kogi state as he is currently spending third term in power through the incumbent governor, Ododo, who he planted in office.
“Yahaya Bello is just being stubborn. He has been living very very rough…having a very rough government, corruption, killing of people in the place during elections and so on,” Clark said during an interview on Arise TV on Thursday.
“There’s time for everything and it has come for him to answer questions. He should go to court. He should go to court to answer the substance of the case, where did he get the money from?
“Is it true or not that the money he paid to the American school belongs to him or belongs to the government of Kogi State?
“The behaviour of the new Governor shows Yahaya Bello is in power for the third time. Ahmed Ododo is just running after him.
“I just want to plead with Ododo to do the needful so that the youth in this country will have something to fall upon.”
Yahaya Bello govt spending third term in office through Ododo – Clark
News
‘Unfounded accusation’ – Obi slams Umahi over instigation of Igbo against Tinubu claim
‘Unfounded accusation’ – Obi slams Umahi over instigation of Igbo against Tinubu claim
Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, says he is not in the business of whipping up ethnic sentiments or amplifying Nigeria’s fault lines to gain socio-political mileage.
Obi said this reaction to comment made by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, at an event on Wednesday on the Lagos-Calabar road project.
Obi has been vocal in his criticism of the road project, calling it a misplaced priority as it is not what Nigeria needs at a time of lean resources and plethora of challenges begging for drastic solution.
Umahi while speaking at the event said Obi’s position on the Lagos-Calabar coastal road project amounted to pitting Nigerians of Eastern extraction, who are majorly Igbos, against the government of President Bola Tinubu.
He also accused Obi of demolishing property without compensating those affected when he was Anambra governor, Obi was inciting South Easterners against the government
“When His Excellency Peter Obi was the governor. He made a statement saying, “Any infrastructure that stands in the way of the road must go. And there would be no compensation paid.” That’s what he said,” Umahi said.
READ ALSO:
- Court sends tenant to prison for setting landlord’s house on fire
- Alleged mastermind of Abuja-Kaduna train attack, Moniker Mandi, arrested
- Woman kills three children over cheating husband
“And I think he’s inciting some of the South-East people that are not well informed. He is inciting them. And gets them into trouble,” he added
Reacting to Umahi’s allegation of divisiveness and sedition in a statement on Wednesday, Obi opined that he is a preacher of peace and advocate of unity who always wants what is best for the country.
Obi, who described criticisms that he is inciting Igbo against Tinubu’s government as baseless, stated that he won’t wallow in the murky water of divisive ethnic politics like many of his contemporaries and opponents do.
He stated, “My focus is on fostering constructive dialogue and inclusivity, rather than engaging in divisive politics, Claims of incitement are baseless distractions. I have always advocated unity and advancement, refusing to partake in reactionary divisive politics.
“I refuse to be reduced to the level of those who wallow in ethnic politics. Worse still, I have never and can never descend so low as to base my political aspirations on any sectional or ethnic interest.”
The former Anambra governor also said there were no comparisons between the demolition he did when he was governor and what the Tinubu-led government was currently doing.
‘Unfounded accusation’ – Obi slams Umahi over instigation of Igbo against Tinubu claim
Rivers: Wike, Magnus Abe settle long-standing rift
Naira depreciates again, trades at N1,402/$
Why I killed my one-year-old son – Delta woman
-
metro2 days agoLabour Day: Nigerian workers are dedicated, resilient, says NURTW leader
-
Auto2 days agoAppeal court takes over NURTW case as NIC withdraws
-
News2 days agoLabour-FG face-off imminent as NLC rejects new salary increase
-
News2 days agoFG approves salary increase for civil servants, military, police
-
metro2 days agoTerrorists release video of kidnapped palace servant, others in Zamfara
-
metro23 hours agoSecurity forces, vigilantes arrest kidnapper terrorising communities in Kogi
-
International2 days agoBinance founder bags jail term in US
-
News3 days agoAmid fuel scarcity, petrol marketers threaten to withdraw services over ₦200bn debt