By Our Reporter
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has declared that it is henceforth illegal for any electricity Distribution Company (DisCo) to carry out disconnection of a customer’s power supply without prior notification in writing.
The commission made this clarification in public notice it released during the weekend, adding that it made the move to create an enabling ground for electricity consumers to curb arbitrariness by the DisCos and as well aid them in fighting for their rights.
The Acting CEO/Chairman of NERC, Dr. Anthony Akah, who personally signed the public notice titled “Good News For Electricity Consumers!” also said that henceforth 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..
Dr. Akah also disclosed that an electricity 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.
“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.
“It is the customer’s right to prompt investigation of complaints arising from the customer’s electricity service disruption.
“It is not the responsibility of electricity customers or the community to buy, replace or repair electricity transformers, poles and related equipment used in the supply of electricity.”
“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 goes through the dispute resolution process of NERC”, Dr. Akah added.
He concluded: “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.”
The notice also urged electricity customers to send all complaints on electricity supply and other billing issues to the nearest business unit of the electricity company serving their premises.
The Commission also published NERC’s Zonal Offices Contacts for easier access and these are:
Joseph John, -South West (08164201445), Tony Ray Ene – South South (08130363581), Ekeh Samuel Chukwuemeka – South East (08062219714)
Hassan Gwandu – North West (07061117416), Mohammed Umar Fufore – North East* (07061097132), Friday Sule, – North Central (07036948408).
