The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has criticized the lack of transparency displayed by Nigeria’s Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos), News About Nigeria reports.
The Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Mr. Tunji Bello, made this known during an urgent meeting on Tuesday in Abuja between key stakeholders in Nigeria’s electricity sector and the FCCPC.
Bello said the lack of transparency, arbitrary billing practices, and other recent challenges faced by Nigerians are highly unacceptable and must be stopped.
He emphasized the importance of protecting consumers’ rights in the electricity sector and maintained that consumer rights should be prioritized, especially in the electricity metering processes.
Speaking on the systemic inefficiencies impacting Nigerian consumers, particularly concerning metering and billing practices, Bello addressed growing concerns over billing discrepancies and the handling of obsolete meters in light of recent announcements by DisCos.
He also condemned the widespread practice of placing consumers with faulty meters on estimated billing, describing it as a violation of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) regulations.
“We are here today because consumers’ rights in metering must be a priority,” Bello stated.
He continued, “The recent challenges, especially arbitrary billing practices and the lack of transparency in metering, are unacceptable. We must ensure consumers are treated fairly and that all practices align with the guidelines set out by regulatory bodies like the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission.
“Consumers should not have to pay for outdated or unusable meters. The regulations are clear: any transition must be done without burdening the consumer.
“DisCos have no excuse for failing to follow proper procedures, including reimbursement for meter purchases and prompt replacement of faulty meters,” Bello added.
“We will not tolerate any disregard for the rules. Corrective actions will be immediate.”
