The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has reiterated that electricity distribution companies (DisCos) are responsible for replacing faulty or obsolete meters at no cost to customers.
In a public notice issued on Monday, NERC condemned reports of DisCos instructing customers to pay for meter replacements, stating that such actions violate Order No. NERC/246/2021 on the Structured Replacement of Faulty and Obsolete End-user Customer Meters.
The Commission emphasized that no customer with a meter should be forced to switch to estimated billing. It clarified that if a meter is deemed faulty or obsolete by any DisCo, the DisCo is obligated to replace it free of charge unless the damage is caused by the customer.
NERC also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting consumer rights and warned that penalties would be enforced for regulatory breaches. Customers are encouraged to report non-compliance by any DisCo.
This development comes after the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) directed Ikeja and Eko DisCos to halt activities related to replacing Unistar meters unless they fully comply with NERC’s guidelines. The directive highlights ongoing efforts to ensure adherence to the Structured Replacement Order in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
