Lagos, Feb. 28, 2020 A group, the All Electricity Consumers Protection Forum, says the limit placed on estimated billing by electricity Distribution Companies (Discos) is a welcome development, but its enforcement is more important.
The group urged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to ensure strict compliance by Discos in order to actualise the objectives of the order.
Its National Coordinator, Mr Adeola Samuel-Ilori, spoke with the Our corespondent) on Friday in Lagos.
Recall that NERC had directed the Discos to ensure that all customers on Class A1 are properly identified and metered by April 30.
” R2 single phase customers now have energy cap of 78kwhr per month and a tariff of N24 kwhr.
“The maximum such a customer will be billed is N1, 872 per month,” NERC also said in the order which took effect from Feb. 20.
Samuel-Ilori noted that Nigerians should be cautiously optimistic about the order due to lack of implementation of previous orders issued by NERC.
“NERC is not lacking in issuing regulatory directives but implementation by the stakeholders especially the Discos.
“There was regulatory directive since March 2017 that MD (maximum demand) customers not metered should not pay or be disconnected. Many Discos failed to comply and action was not taken against them.
“There is also a clear directive about illegal disconnection of customers which some of the Discos are still flouting,” he said.
According to him, the Meter Assets Providers (MAP) scheme also stipulates a 10 day period for customers to be metered after making payment, but some of the Discos are not adhering to the directive.
He said: “We commend the new capping system put in place but we want NERC to ensure compliance by Discos.
“It is designed to force them to meter all customers, and if they can’t cope, any of the discos can declare Force Majure and close down.
” It will finally address the suffering and crying of the people over unjust bills and paying for darkness. “
Meanwhile, Ikeja Electric said customers are now by law obliged to pay for their prepaid meters in accordance with the Meter Asset Provider Regulation 2018 made pursuant to the Electric Power Sector Reform Act 2005.
A statement issued by Mr Felix Ofulue, Head, Corporate Communications, on Friday said IE by law can no longer invest in customer metering unless with the express approval of its regulator because it is not permitted to recoup returns on such metering investment.
“IE has appointed three MAPs who are currently working with it to provide meters to its customers.
“In order to fast track meter deployment to its customers, IE has commenced the process of appointing additional map companies to aid the speedy deployment of meters for purchase by customers,” he said.
On his part, Mr Godwin Idemudia, General Manager, Corporate Communications, Eko Electricity Distribution Company, said the Disco had been engaging with its stakeholders on the issue.
“We will do our best to meet the deadline. As you are aware, the provision of meters to customers is presently an ongoing project. MAP is also addressing that,” he said.
