- Faulty Meter Replacement: DisCos are responsible for replacing faulty meters free of charge.
- No Payment Required: Consumers shouldn’t pay for meter replacement, unless they caused the damage.
- Report Faulty Meters: Inform your DisCo immediately if your meter develops a fault
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a warning to electricity consumers: don’t pay for replacement of faulty meters! It’s the responsibility of electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to replace them at no cost to you, as long as you haven’t tampered with the meter ,
Here’s the deal: some DisCos have been instructing customers to pay for replacement of faulty meters, but this goes against NERC’s Order No. NERC/246/2021. This order states that customers with meters shouldn’t be forced onto estimated billing, and if a meter is faulty or obsolete, the DisCo must replace it for free .
Currently, only 45% of customers (about 5.99 million out of 13.19 million) have meters, leaving seven million customers on estimated billing . NERC is committed to protecting customers’ interests and rights, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and enforcing penalties for non-compliance.
Know Your Rights:
- Right to Metering: All new electricity connections must be done with metering before connection .
- Right to Safe and Reliable Electricity: Customers have the right to electricity supply in a safe and reliable manner .
- Right to Refund: Customers have the right to refund when over-billed .
Remember, it’s not your responsibility to buy, replace, or repair electricity transformers, poles, or related equipment . If you’re unsure about your rights or have complaints, contact NERC or your DisCo.
