The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has called on electricity distribution companies in Nigeria to prioritize consumer rights in their metering processes.
During a meeting with key stakeholders from Nigeria’s electricity sector, Tunji Bello, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, emphasized that electricity distribution companies (discos) must cover the costs of replacing meters. He stressed that they should not impose any additional charges on consumers, particularly during this transition phase.
He condemned the widespread practice of placing consumers with faulty meters on estimated billing, describing it as a violation of nerc’s regulations.
Mr. Bello urged electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to find ways to phase out prepaid meters without arbitrarily billing consumers, ensuring transparency in the process and prioritizing consumer rights.
“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,” Bello said.
“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.”
