Victor EzejaThe Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has again extended the deadline given to electricity distribution companies (DisCos), to replace upgrade meters for their customers.
According to the Commission, the new date is now 1 January 2025, failing which they risk sanctions.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelIn a statement posted on its X handle on NERC said it gave the directive during the Q4 Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) stakeholders meeting.
The statement said: “NERC has directed DisCos to rapidly conclude the migration of STS-Meters for all their customers to prevent disruption of service. During the Q4 NESI Stakeholders Meeting, the Commission warned that daily penalties would be imposed for each meter not migrated effective from 1st January 2025
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“During the Q4 NESI Stakeholders Meeting, the Commission warned that daily penalties would be imposed for each meter not migrated effective from 1st January 2025.
“The Commission further emphasized the responsibility of the DisCos to replace all obsolete/faulty meters within their franchise.”
NERC further stated that pursuant to the provisions of the Customer Protection Regulation 2023, the “Commission noted that DisCos are neither allowed to charge customers for the replacement of obsolete/faulty meters nor transfer customers to estimated billing.”
He stated that NERC had given 24 November as the deadline for this process but the DisCos failed to meet a certain percentage of the target population for the scheme.
Following reports that some electricity consumers were being mandated by DisCos to replace faulty or obsolete metres, NERC said it is the responsibility of DisCos to do so, adding that they have no right to return customers to estimate billing on account of inability to upgrade.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
