The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has accused Distribution Companies (DisCos) of violating its order to replace customers’ faulty and obsolete meters for free.

In a public notice on Monday, NERC warned the DisCos to desist from demanding fees from customers before replacing their meters.

NERC wrote, “The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission is aware that some distribution companies (DisCos) have instructed customers to apply and pay for the replacement of faulty and obsolete meters within their franchise areas.

“This instruction contravenes the commission’s order no. NERC/246/2021 on the Structured Replacement of Faulty and Obsolete end-use Customer Meters in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.”

According to the notice, the order provides that the demand for payment for repairs or replacement only applies to customers whose meters developed issues due to their fault.

The order stated, “No customer with a meter should be forcefully migrated to estimated billing. If any customer’s meter is adjudged by any DisCo to be obsolete or faulty, it is the responsibility of the DisCo to replace the meter free of charge, provided that the fault was not caused by the customer.”

The electricity regulatory body, however, advised customers to report DisCos making illegal financial demands from them.

“We urge customers to report cases of non-compliance to the order by any DisCo through the following channels: Phone: 1.07000 CALL NERC (07000 2255 6372) 2.0201 344 4331 3.0908 899 9244 Email: complaints@nerc.gov.ng.”

NERC emphasised its resolve to protect the interests and rights of customers by ensuring compliance with regulations and enforcing penalties for non-compliance.