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FCCPC orders Ikeja, Eko DisCos to Stop Unistar meter Installation
Eko DisCos Stop Meter Installation: The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Tuesday ordered Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) and Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDP) to immediately halt the replacement of Unistar prepaid meters due to their non-compliance with directives from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).
The commission’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tunji Bello gave the directive on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
Eko DisCos Stop Meter Installation
The directive was a response to a recent announcement by one of the DisCos regarding the phase-out of the Unistar prepaid meter model, effective November 14, 2024, a development that has caused considerable anxiety among consumers.
According to the directive, Bello highlighted significant challenges facing electricity consumers, including billing inaccuracies and inadequate customer care.
- He cited an example of a complaint received by the FCCPC from an Ikeja Electric customer who was frustrated about being asked to replace a functioning meter at a significant personal cost.
- To prevent potential exploitation, the FCCPC directed that all meter replacement processes be conducted transparently, with costs borne by the DISCOs and not passed on to consumers.
- Bello emphasized that NERC’s order mandates DISCOs to prioritize metering for unmetered customers under the National Mass Metering Programme (NMMP) and to follow strict guidelines when replacing faulty or obsolete meters.
“Eko DisCos Stop Meter Installation. The 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 have endorsed the FCCPC’s stance on this issue,” the statement reads.
“Citing non-compliance with NERC’s order, FCCPC directed Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) and Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDP) to immediately halt their replacement of Unistar prepaid meters,” the statement continued.
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NERC Sets Strict Guidelines For Faulty Meters Replacement
These guidelines require DisCos to inspect faulty meters and provide detailed information in the replacement notice. Eko DisCos Stop Meter Installation.
This includes the inspection date, the inspecting officer’s credentials, the identified fault, and the scheduled replacement date.
Furthermore, DisCos are prohibited from placing customers on estimated billing due to delays in meter replacement, as new meters must be installed immediately upon removing any faulty or obsolete unit.
The meeting addressed a recent announcement by one of the DisCos regarding the phase-out of the Unistar prepaid meter model, effective November 14, 2024, which has caused considerable anxiety among consumers.
The FCCPC boss emphasized that this announcement lacked critical information regarding whether consumers would be liable for the replacement costs, raising fears that the transition could lead to arbitrary estimated billing and undue financial strain on consumers.
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