Afrigather 
Mr. Tunji Bello, the Govt Vice Chairman and CEO of the Federal Competitors and Shopper Safety Fee (FCCPC), has urged electrical energy distribution corporations to prioritize shopper rights within the electrical energy metering course of.
He made this name on Tuesday throughout a gathering between key stakeholders from Nigeria’s electrical energy sector and the FCCPC in Abuja.
“We’re right here as we speak as a result of shoppers’ rights in metering should be a precedence,” Bello stated.
“The latest challenges, particularly the arbitrary billing practices and the shortage of transparency in metering are unacceptable. We should make sure that shoppers are handled pretty and that every one practices adhere to the rules set out by regulatory our bodies just like the Nigeria Electrical energy Regulatory Fee,” he added.
The assembly addressed mounting issues over metering points, together with billing discrepancies and the dealing with of out of date meters, notably within the wake of latest bulletins by DisCos.
Bello’s remarks got here because the FCCPC addressed rising issues over the phase-out of the Unistar pay as you go meter mannequin, which might doubtlessly create further hardships for shoppers.
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The transition, set to start on November 14, 2024, has raised alarms about whether or not shoppers will probably be required to bear the prices of changing these meters or whether or not they are going to be subjected to estimated billing practices, that are prohibited by the NERC.
Bello acknowledged that this shift was sharply criticized by one distressed Ikeja Electrical buyer, who wrote to the FCCPC, saying, “Good night FCCPC? The exploitation of IKEDC on the change of meter is unacceptable. To vary the meters in my home will price about N1M. Please kindly intervene.”
In response to the state of affairs, Bello emphasised that DisCos should bear the prices of changing meters with out imposing further expenses on shoppers, particularly throughout this transition section. “Customers shouldn’t should pay for meters which are outdated or not in use,” he stated.
“The laws are clear: any transition should be finished with out burdening the patron,” he added.
The FCCPC additional condemned the widespread follow of inserting shoppers with defective meters on estimated billing, describing it as a violation of NERC’s laws.
“Discos haven’t any excuse for failing to comply with correct procedures, together with reimbursement for meter purchases and making certain defective meters are promptly changed,” Bello added.
“We won’t tolerate any disregard for the principles. Corrective actions will probably be rapid,” he stated.
Numerous stakeholders had been additionally present with a platform to voice their positions throughout the assembly.
