The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has rolled out some measures to curb the arbitrariness of Distribution companies (DisCos).
NERC rolled out these measures in a public notice titled “Good News For Electricity Consumers!” and personally signed by the Acting CEO/Chairman, Dr. Anthony Akah.
Akah said the commission has taken the bull by the horn by releasing to the public the rights of every electricity consumer to curb the DisCos’ arbitrariness and aid consumers in fighting for their rights.
“The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has declared that it is illegal for any electricity Distribution Company (DisCo) to carry out the disconnection of a customer’s power supply without prior notification in writing,” Akah said.
“All new electricity connections must be done strictly on the basis of metering before connection. That is, no new customer should be connected without meter first being installed.
“It is the customer’s right to be notified in writing ahead of disconnection of electricity service by the electricity distribution company serving the customer in line with NERC’s guidelines.”
Other rights of the electricity consumer as contained in the public notice are as follows: A customer who elects to procure meter under the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) Scheme must be metered within 60 days.
After that, the customer will neither be billed nor disconnected by the electricity distribution company.
“It is the customer’s right to transparent electricity billing. Unmetered customers should be issued with electricity bills strictly based on NERC’s estimated billing methodology,” Akah stated.
“It is the customer’s right to prompt investigation of complaints arising from the customer’s electricity service disruption”.
“It is not the responsibility of electricity customer or community to buy, replace or repair electricity transformers, poles and related equipment used in the supply of electricity.
“It is the customer’s right to contest any electricity bill. Any unmetered customer who is disputing his or her estimated bill has the right not to pay the disputed bill, but pay only the last undisputed bill as the contested bill goes through the dispute resolution process of NERC.”
The commission has urged customers to send all complaints on electricity supply and other billing issues to the nearest business unit of the DisCo serving their premises.
However, NERC said: “If your complaint is not satisfactorily addressed, you can forward your complaint to the NERC Forum Office within the coverage area of your electricity distribution company.
“Customers also have the right to appeal the decision of the forum at the NERC headquarters in Abuja.”
The commission also published NERC zonal office contacts for easier access and these are: Joseph John South-West (08164201445) and Tony Ray Ene South-South (08130363581).
Others are Ekeh Samuel Chukwuemeka South-East (08062219714), Gwandu North-West (07061117416), Mohammed Umar Fufore North-East (07061097132) and Friday Sule North-Central (07036948408).
The ommission has also urged customers to share this information and “help us protect your rights” but however warned against neglecting their obligations.
“Note that you have an obligation to pay your valid electric bills, avoid meter by-pass or stealing of electricity and protect power infrastructure from being vandalised,” it said.
