The ongoing issue of shady pricing and lack of transparency in electricity billing system by the major electricity distribution companies across the six geo-political zones in Nigeria has led to bitter complaints and agitations by the electricity consumers in the last six months.
These issues are now being gradually addressed by the Nigeria Electricity Regulation Commission with newly introduced consumers rights which was recently issued by the commission to tackle the unsatisfactory billing and metering system across the country.
Read the latest updates below:
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the body empowered to meet the yearnings of Nigerians for stable, adequate and safe electricity supply, has taken the bull by the horn by releasing to the public, the rights of every electricity consumer.
Read the rights below:
1. 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.
2. A customer who elects to procure meter under the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) Scheme must be metered within 60 days, after which the customer will neither be billed nor disconnected by the electricity distribution company.
3. 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.
4. 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 guidleines.
5. It is the customer’s right to prompt investigation of complaints arising from the customer’s electricity service disruption
6. It is not the responsibility of electricity customer or community to buy, replace or repair electricity transformers, poles and related equipment used in supply of electricity.
7. 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 go through the dispute resolution process of NERC.
8. All complaints on your electricity supply and other billing issues are to be sent to your nearest business unit of the electricity company serving your premises.
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.
Log into: www.nercng.org for more details or contact:
NERC ZONAL OFFICE CONTACTS:
08164201445 Joseph John southwest;
08130363581 Tony Ray Ene South South;
08062219714 Ekeh Samuel Chukwuemeka Southeast;
07061117416 Hassan GWANDU north west;
07061097132 Mohammed Umar fufore North East;
07036948408 Friday Sule North Central.
Please share this information and help us protect your rights. However,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 vandalized.
Together,by doing our part, we can get the power sector we all desired.
Dr.Anthony Akah,mni
Ag. CEO/Chairman, NERC