FCCPC Task DisCos on Consumer Involvement in Electricity Bands Classification
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), has called on electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) to carry energy consumers along before classifying them into bands for transparency.
Mr Tunji Bello, the Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, said the call was part of the resolution reached at the Commission’s meeting with electricity stakeholders in Abuja on Tuesday. Bello said the resolution was due to complaints by consumers who were classified into different electricity bands without their consent.
He said the Commission also directed Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) and Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDP) to immediately halt the replacement of Unistar prepaid meters in Lagos State and environs.
Bello said the resolution was due to non-compliance of DisCos with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (NERC) order. He cited an example of a complaint received by FCCPC from an Ikeja Electric customer who had expressed frustration at being asked to replace a functioning meter at a significant personal cost.
”To prevent potential exploitation, FCCPC has directed that all meter replacement processes be conducted transparently, with costs borne by the DisCos and not passed on to consumers.
”FCCPC will enforce strict compliance with these regulatory requirements to protect consumers from arbitrary charges and estimated billing.
”FCCPC’s directive to discontinue the replacement process stems from the DisCos’ non-compliance with NERC’s “Order on Structured Replacement of Faulty and Obsolete End-user Customer Meters in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry.
”Both NERC and NEMSA endorsed the FCCPC’s stance on the issue,” he said. The meeting was attended by representatives from the NERC, the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), various electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) and Unistar Hitech Systems Limited. #FCCPC Task DisCos on Consumer Involvement in Electricity Bands Classification Naira Falls to N1,486 as FX Crisis Deepens
