Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has
stated that electricity consumers that were not provided with prepaid meters
as at March 1 to stop paying electricity bills presented by Distribution
Companies (DISCOs) on the basis of estimated billing methodology.
The commission also ordered the DISCOs not to disconnect any
such customer that refuses to pay the bills and further advised such customers
to report to the commission if disconnected.
NERC in a statement on its website at the weekend,
said in line with its mandate of protecting the rights of customers, NERC had
in June 2016 after consultation with the operators, directed DISCOs to conclude
metering of all customers before November 30, 2016.
NERC added that the sanction was sequel to the expiration
of the initial directives by NERC and the moratorium period given to DISCOs to
meter consumers.
The statement reads in part: “A directive was issued to
distribution companies by the Commission in June 2016 for all MD customers to
be metered by 30 November 2016.
“The Commission received appeals on compliance deadline from
distribution companies prior to the expiration of the 30 November 2016
deadline. The deadline was extended to 1 March 2017 after consideration of
appeals received from distribution companies.
“Upon due consideration of facts above and the expiration of
the compliance deadline granted to distribution companies on the metering of MD
customers; the Commission hereby directs as follows;
“1. Any MD customer that was not metered by 1 March 2017
shall not pay any electricity bill presented by a distribution company on the
basis of estimated billing methodology and these customers are advised to
report this to the Commission.
“2. No distribution company shall disconnect any MD customer
that was not metered by 1 March 2017 on the basis of the customer’s refusal to pay
a bill issued after the compliance deadline on the basis of estimated billing
methodology.
“3. Any MD customer that was not metered by 1 March 2017
should notify the Commission directly on:
Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission
Adamawa Plaza
Plot 1099 First Avenue
Off Shehu Shagari Way
Central Business District, Abuja
Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission
Adamawa Plaza
Plot 1099 First Avenue
Off Shehu Shagari Way
Central Business District, Abuja
info@nerc.gov.ng
complaints@nerc.gov.ng
234 9 462 1424
234 9 462 1414
complaints@nerc.gov.ng
234 9 462 1424
234 9 462 1414
By Wale Odunsi
