NERC Cancels Estimated Bills, Orders Customers Without Pre-Paid Metres not to Pay Electricity Bills
NERC Cancels Estimated
Bills, Orders Customers Without Pre-Paid Metres not to Pay Electricity Bills
By Admin
Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has stated that electricity
consumers that
were not
provided with prepaid meters as at March 1 to stop paying
electricity 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 in a statement on its
website at the
weekend, said 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.
NERC added that 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 on:
Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission
Adamawa Plaza
Plot 1099 First Avenue
Off Shehu Shagari Way
Central Business District, Abuja
info@nerc.gov.ng
complaints@nerc.gov.ng
234 9 462 1424
234 9 462 1414
Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission
Adamawa Plaza
Plot 1099 First Avenue
Off Shehu Shagari Way
Central Business District, Abuja
info@nerc.gov.ng
complaints@nerc.gov.ng
234 9 462 1424
234 9 462 1414
