NERC Orders DisCos to Fix Faulty Meters in 48 Hours

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has issued a directive requiring electricity distribution companies (DisCos) to repair or replace faulty meters within 48 hours of receiving customer complaints. This initiative aims to enable customers to accurately monitor their electricity consumption and minimize disputes related to faulty meters and billing issues.

NERC has warned against wrongful disconnections and illegal reconnection charges, stating that customers wrongfully disconnected are entitled to compensation equivalent to their average daily consumption for three months for each day of wrongful disconnection. The commission clarified that DisCos can issue estimated bills only when meter readings cannot be obtained and that unmetered customers are protected by billing caps.

NERC has also provided procedures for resolving connection disputes, advising customers to contact their distribution company's Customer Complaints Unit first. If unresolved after 15 days, customers may escalate the matter to a NERC Forum Office.

Customers in states with independent regulatory commissions should approach their respective state regulators.