The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a comprehensive public notice outlining the rights of electricity consumers in a bid to address issues of arbitrariness by Distribution Companies (DisCos) and enhance consumer protection.
The public notice, titled “Good News For Electricity Consumers!” and signed by NERC’s Acting CEO/Chairman, Dr. Anthony Akah, was released on Saturday. The notice underscores NERC’s commitment to ensuring stable, adequate, and safe electricity supply across Nigeria.
Key highlights of the notice include:
1. Illegal Disconnections: NERC has declared it illegal for any DisCo to disconnect a customer’s power supply without prior written notification.
2. Mandatory Metering Before Connection: All new electricity connections must be based strictly on metering. No new customer should be connected without first having a meter installed.
3. Notification of Disconnection: It is the customer’s right to be notified in writing ahead of any disconnection of electricity service by their DisCo, in line with NERC’s guidelines.
4. CAPMI Scheme: Customers who procure meters under the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) Scheme must be metered within 60 days. If not, they will neither be billed nor disconnected by the DisCo.
5. Transparent Billing: Customers have the right to transparent electricity billing. Unmetered customers should receive bills based strictly on NERC’s estimated billing methodology.
6. Prompt Complaint Investigation: It is the customer’s right to have complaints arising from electricity service disruption promptly investigated.
7. Equipment Responsibility: It is not the responsibility of electricity customers or communities to buy, replace, or repair electricity transformers, poles, and related equipment used in the supply of electricity.
8. Bill Contestation: Customers have the right to contest any electricity bill. Unmetered customers disputing their estimated bill are entitled to pay only the last undisputed bill while the contested bill undergoes NERC’s dispute resolution process.
9. Complaint Resolution: If a customer’s complaint is not satisfactorily addressed by the DisCo, they can forward their complaint to the NERC Forum Office within the coverage area of their DisCo. Customers also have the right to appeal the forum’s decision at the NERC headquarters in Abuja.
NERC has also provided contact information for its Zonal Offices to facilitate easier access for consumers. These include:
South-West: Joseph John (08164201445)
South-South: Tony Ray Ene (08130363581)
South-East: Ekeh Samuel Chukwuemeka (08062219714)
North-West: Hassan GWANDU (07061117416)
North-East: Mohammed Umar Fufore (07061097132)
North-Central: Friday Sule (07036948408)
The commission urged customers to share this information to help protect their rights while also reminding them of their obligations. Customers are expected to pay their valid electric bills, avoid meter bypass or electricity theft, and protect power infrastructure from vandalism.
For more details, customers can visit the NERC website or contact their nearest NERC office.
