FCCPC Urges Fair Metering Practices By DisCos

At a high-level meeting in Abuja, Mr. Tunji Bello, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), urged Nigeria’s Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) to prioritize consumer rights in metering processes. Addressing a gathering of stakeholders from the electricity sector, Bello highlighted ongoing issues such as arbitrary billing practices and non-transparent metering, which he stated unfairly burden Nigerian consumers.

Bello emphasized the need for strict adherence to guidelines set by the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), particularly in cases involving metering inefficiencies. He raised concerns over the phase-out of the Unistar prepaid meter model, set to begin on November 14, 2024, which could potentially lead to estimated billing or force consumers to bear high replacement costs. One customer from Ikeja Electric voiced frustration in a letter to the FCCPC, noting that the cost of replacing outdated meters in his household would exceed one million naira.

In response, Bello affirmed that DisCos must handle replacement costs for outdated or faulty meters, insisting, “Consumers should not have to pay for meters that are outdated or no longer in use.” He further condemned the practice of placing consumers with defective meters on estimated billing, calling it a clear violation of NERC’s regulations.

Okeme Obiabo, an assistant manager at the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), echoed Bello’s concerns, urging DisCos to adhere to proper procedures for testing, certifying, and promptly replacing obsolete meters. Similarly, Zubair Babatunde, head of consumer engagement at NERC, reiterated the importance of ensuring that meters are only removed when immediate replacements are available, with no added cost to the consumer.

As the session concluded, the FCCPC underscored its commitment to taking swift corrective actions to protect consumer rights and enforce compliance across Nigeria’s electricity distribution network.