The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has instructed electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to adopt a gradual strategy for replacing outdated prepaid meters, with an emphasis on fair billing practices for consumers during the transition.
This directive follows numerous complaints from consumers concerning meter replacement costs and billing issues. FCCPC’s Executive Vice-Chairman and CEO, Tunji Bello, outlined the commission’s stance on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja that addressed metering concerns. Notably, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) had already mandated DisCos to initiate replacements for phased-out meters. Ikeja Electric, one of Nigeria’s prominent DisCos, recently declared it would discontinue support for Unistar prepaid meters due to technical upgrades and a token identifier (TID) rollover issue, starting November 14.
Representatives from key regulatory bodies, including NERC, the Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), various DisCos, and Unistar’s manufacturer, attended the Abuja meeting. Bello emphasized that while meter replacement is necessary for modernization, the process must prioritize consumer rights with transparent cost structures and clear communication.
Bello highlighted that systemic inefficiencies and disregard for regulatory standards among certain service providers contribute to consumer grievances, such as inaccurate billing and inadequate customer support. He condemned practices like charging consumers for usage on defective meters and demanding upfront payment for meters without refunds, noting these practices breach the NERC Meter Asset Provider and National Mass Metering Regulations of 2021.
He further warned that future regulatory violations would trigger immediate enforcement actions, stressing that power shortages do not justify unfair treatment of consumers. In addition, NERC’s Head of Consumer Engagement, Zubair Babatunde, and NEMSA’s Assistant Manager, Okeme Obiabo, reiterated the importance of adhering to proper procedures in meter replacement. They assured consumers that the replacement process would be cost-free to them, underscoring NERC’s commitment to safeguarding consumer rights in Nigeria’s metering landscape.
