NERC bars customers from buying, replacing equipment for DisCos
Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has declared that it is not the responsibility of customers or communities to buy, replace or repair electricity transformers, poles and related equipment used in the supply of electricity.
NERC stated this in the guidelines released, weekend, via a public notice, explaining it is part of efforts to create robust relationship between electricity firms and customers/consumers.
NERC Acting CEO/Chairman, Dr. Anthony Akah, who signed the public notice titled; “Good News For Electricity Consumers!” also said that it has released to the public, the rights of every electricity consumers to curb arbitrariness by the DisCos and aid consumers in fighting for their rights.
“The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has declared that it is illegal for any electricity Distribution Company (DisCo) to carry out disconnection of a customer’s power supply without prior notification in writing.
“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.
According to the notice, “It is the customer’s right to be notified in writing ahead of disconnection of electricity service by the electricity distribution company serving the customer in line with NERC’s guidelines,” the NERC reeled out the new guidelines.
Other rights of the electricity consumer contained in the public notice include, that:
“A 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 customer or 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.”
The commission urged 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 urged customers/consumers to forward their complaints to the NERC Forum Office within the coverage area of their electricity distribution company if their complaints are not satisfactorily addressed.
NERC also said that customers have the right to appeal the decision of the forum at the NERC headquarters in Abuja.
The Commission appealed to customers to share this information and “help us protect your rights” but it however warned against neglecting their obligations.
According to NERC, “Note that you have an obligation to pay your valid electric bills, avoid meter by-pass or stealing of electricity and protect power infrastructure from being vandalised.”
NERC is the government’s regulatory body for operations of distribution companies in the country, saddled with meeting the yearnings of Nigerians for stable, adequate and safe electricity supply.
