The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) through its General Manager for Finance and Management, Abdulkadir Shettima has declared that customers with faulty meters are eligible for prompt repairs within 2 days and at no extra cost. This announcement was made during a recent NERC Workshop in Kano state, focused on Metering Issues for Civil Society Organizations and Consumer Advocacy Groups.
Dr. Shettima emphasized that once a complaint is lodged with the distribution company (DisCo), the customer’s defective meter should be rectified within two working days. However, an exception applies: if the meter fault is caused by the customer, they would need to cover the repair expenses. Furthermore, any balance on the old meter would be transferred to the new one.
The presentation also highlighted the responsibilities of customers. They are required to grant access to their meters and facilitate the connection to DisCos, as failure to comply might result in disconnection. Additionally, customers are obliged to safeguard their meters and prevent unauthorized access.
Matters discussed at the NERC Workshop in Kano state
During the event, Dr Shittu Shaibu, Deputy General Manager for Consumer Affairs at the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), shed light on vital aspects concerning billing and electricity disconnections by DisCos.
Dr Shaibu highlighted a key requirement, stating that every bill issued to a customer must include a clear payment statement. Notably, this information should be provided through the agreed communication channels, at least ten days prior to the bill’s due date. Additionally, he emphasized a noteworthy provision in the Customer Protection Regulations (CPR) of 2023, which grants DisCos an extra two working days as a grace period before disconnection.
Recall that NERC introduced the CPR of 2023 in May, aimed at safeguarding the interests of both DisCos and electricity consumers. The regulations include a wide range of instructions, spanning from electricity connections to meter readings in cases of relocations and customer disconnections.
Speaking on this, NERC also issued an electricity service charter in April 2023. This charter affirms the rights of unmetered electricity consumers, guaranteeing them transparent billing practices and estimates for billing purposes.
The national coordinator of SERVICOM, Mrs Nnenna Akajemeli, said the charter would lead to effective service delivery in the power sector and called on the NERC to be ready for the increase in Nigeria’s requests and complaints. She added that with the document, her office would hold NERC accountable. She also asked the commission to follow the document to the commission for effective and efficient service delivery in the power sector.
Read More: 11 DisCos apply for tariff review, raising possibility of electricity price hike
Why you should update your prepaid meter
The specifications of the prepaid meters are a primary cause for the update. Each credit token, the primary instrument for recharging prepaid meters, comprises a unique token identification (TID) contained within its 20 digits, according to Conlog, one of the licensed meter asset providers. This TID is based on a base date that began in 1993 and is expected to expire in November 2024.
As a result, failing to update the meter’s base date using the appropriate methods renders the meter useless.
NERC has informed users that the update will be free of charge, allowing for a smooth transition to the new system. To make the procedure easier, distribution firms (DisCos) will provide each user with two free Key Change Tokens (KCTs), which will act as the vehicle for the essential upgrade.
When they buy their customary energy tokens, they will receive a key change token in addition to the energy tokens. This key change token, which will be issued by their respective DisCos or agents, will be used just once to start the update process. Following energy purchases will be made as usual.
According to BuyPower, the following link shows simple steps meter owners can follow to update their prepaid meters.
Read More: NERC Gives CWG, 7 Others Get License to Distribute and Install Prepaid Meters
Technext Newsletter
Get the best of Africa’s daily tech to your inbox – first thing every morning.
Join the community now!
