The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has directed electric consumers not provided with prepared meters by March 1 to stop paying for electric bills presented by Distribution Companies (DISCOs) on the basis of estimated billing methodology.

The commission also ordered the DISCOs not to disconnect any such customer that refuses to pay the bills and further advised such customers to report to the commission if disconnected.

NERC gave the directive on Wednesday in a statement on its website and said it was part of its sanctioning of defaulting DISCOs who failed to provide meters for its customers before the March 1 deadline.

In line with its mandate of protecting the rights of customers, NERC had in June 2016 after consultation with the operators, directed DISCOs to conclude metering of all customers before November 30, 2016.

According to NERC, the commission at the expiration of that notice, granted three months moratorium which expired on March 1, to enable the DISCOs effectively execute the metering deployment plan for MD customers.

According to the statement, the sanction was sequel to the expiration of the initial directives by NERC and the moratorium period given to DISCOs to meter consumers.

The statement reads in part:

“A directive was issued to distribution companies by the Commission in June 2016 for all MD customers to be metered by 30 November 2016.

“The Commission received appeals on compliance deadline from distribution companies prior to the expiration of the 30 November 2016 deadline.  The deadline was extended to 1 March 2017 after consideration of appeals received from distribution companies.

“Upon due consideration of facts above and the expiration of the compliance deadline granted to distribution companies on the metering of MD customers; the Commission hereby directs as follows –

“1.    Any MD customer that was not metered by 1 March 2017 shall not pay any electricity bill presented by a distribution company on the basis of estimated billing methodology and these customers are advised to report this to the Commission.

“2.    No distribution company shall disconnect any MD customer that was not metered by 1 March 2017 on the basis of the customer’s refusal to pay a bill issued after the compliance deadline on the basis of estimated billing methodology.

“3.    Any MD customer that was not metered by 1 March 2017 should notify the Commission directly.”

Source: http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/233653-electricity-regulator-nerc-directs-nigerians-without-prepaid-meters-to-stop-paying-bills.html

Wow this is going to be game changer. Everyone complaining discos are ripping people of going to dance in streets. I guess discos will start maufacturing Meters if they can't get forex to import.

Long overdue move. Better late than never though. It ha been a case of honest Nigerians being milked and made to pay for the dishonesty of other Nigerians. We have local manufacturers of the meter and so I see no reason for the blatant lies.

Gradually, we' are getting there.

God Bless Nigeria!

TRUST ME, PHCN WILL STILL CONTINUE THEIR RUBBISH.

GloriaNinja:
TRUST ME, PHCN WILL STILL CONTINUE THEIR RUBBISH.

Watz d meaning of dz tin u wrote?

This won't still stop biafra from coming into reality.

pls sumbody remind me which month we are in

KehnnyCares:
Gradually, we' are getting there.

God Bless Nigeria!

Bless which dirty nigeria?Read again,Its old news.

Please Note the term MD, maximium demand customers, this does not apply to aaverage tom, dike and harriet.
dont, get you hops high

It's high time NERC applies same to individual users.
Click like n Share if you agree

Waiting to see if it's true before rejoicing.

And wen NEPA officials disconnect our transformer or wires or whichever form of disconnection dey chose what are we supposed to do? Arrest dem with police or fight dem?? It's easier said dan done... Both NERC, PHCN, GENCOs, DISCOs, TANKOs and all of dem are all in it together.. What have dey done to make sure Prepaid metres are provided to consumers? What have dey done to sensitize electricity consumers about dis?? No consumer enjoys paying for lite he/she doesn't /hasn't seen or used.. But what choice do we have wen Estimated bills are generated using God-knows-what criteria and distributed first week of d month and by d 2nd week dey are carrying ladders going house to house and asking U silly questions like dey rented d apartment for u.. Even with d prepaid metre, d fixed charges are a whole different issue completely.. Until dey start doing more to show dey are actually trying to regulate things den dis is jus anoda word of mouth - All talk and no action...

Lol

game changer! Kedco went as far as securing undertakings from customers now i know why. Pls where is th regulatory commission office in kano state?

PoolBuilder:
Please Note the term MD, maximium demand customers, this does not apply to aaverage tom, dike and harriet.
dont, get you hops high

Good eye.

Blue3k:
Wow this is going to be game changer. Everyone complaining discos are ripping people of going to dance in streets. I guess discos will start maufacturing Meters if they can't get forex to import.

This is a game changer for those living backwards not to us bro. This June not February

Like seriously u gets didn't read the post well....NERC is referring to MD customers.... Ehy are u noe complaining, are u an MD customer?

GloriaNinja:
TRUST ME, PHCN WILL STILL CONTINUE THEIR RUBBISH.

Of course ..this is June 2017 and PHCN is still disconnecting those without prepaid meters

Nice initiative. IKEDC/EDC still dey try sef but IBEDC are criminals and among the most useless DISCO in Nigeria.

*Modified *
Extend it to NMD customers, we need it more than the MD customers.

I was giving #8000+ for March, 6000+ for April and 8000+ for May with unmetered reading and within these 3 months of about 90 days with 2160 hours, I did not make use of 60 hours of electricity combined.

These disco guys are the highest fraud to ever happen in the history of Nigeria.

Seems everyone above me didn't read the post. This is an old news. The ultimatum stated was March 1 2017

Rubbish.

So i go dey drag wire with them if they come?

instead of sanctioning the discos that err,they are telling us to fight for ourselves.

Nigerians don't read. This old news. Last year news. And moreover its for MD customers

This directive is for (MD) Maximum Demand customers only.

If you like, go and quote this directive when DISCO personnel come visiting; na your wire them go carry go office.


Pay your electricity bill promptly and wholesomely.

Make we do the right thing for once

meezynetwork:
Nigerians don't read. This old news. Last year news. And moreover its for MD customers

disco worker spotted

Two faced govt

saintneo:
This directive is for (MD) Maximum Demand customers only.

If you like, go and quote this directive when DISCO personnel come visiting; na your wire them go carry go office.


Pay your electricity bill promptly and wholesomely.

disco workers spotted

U r not in Nigeria @all

GloriaNinja:
TRUST ME, PHCN WILL STILL CONTINUE THEIR RUBBISH.

Ogalanyachieze:
disco workers spotted which one md where did you read that one

I hope you don't lack comprehension skills, read the op's original post;. especially the parts in bold.

BTW, I'm an entrepreneur in the industry. click the link below to see my ideas on solving electricity problem in Nigeria.