The Federal Government, through the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has taken a firm stance against Distribution Companies (DisCos) that attempt to charge customers for replacing faulty or obsolete meters.
This directive stems from Order No. NERC/246/2021, which outlines the responsibilities of DisCos in maintaining and replacing meters within their network.
Under the order, DisCos are required to replace defective meters at no cost to the customer, provided the damage was not caused by the customer.
The commission also prohibited the practice of moving customers with malfunctioning meters to estimated billing, stressing that such actions are not permissible under its regulations.
NERC has urged affected customers to report cases where DisCos violate this order. It provided multiple channels, including phone lines and an email address, for lodging complaints.
The commission reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that DisCos adhere to regulatory standards and warned that any violations would attract penalties.
This move is part of NERC’s broader effort to protect consumers and ensure that electricity providers comply with industry regulations.
