By Aduragbemi Omiyale
Ikeja Electric Plc and Eko Distribution Company (EKEDC) have been warned against phasing out the UniStar prepaid meters from Thursday, November 14, 2024.
The two energy distribution firms had informed their customers that from tomorrow, the meters would stop working on their networks because they were obsolete.
However, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) directed the duo to suspend the phasing-out plans.
There had been speculations in the past days that the DisCos may flout the order, forcing FCCPC to threaten “stiff consequences” if IKEDC and EKEDC fails to adhere to the directive.
In a statement on Wednesday by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, the agency emphasised that the directive remains in full force, noting that any attempt by these DisCos to proceed in contravention of it will attract severe consequences.
It stated that “Ikeja and Eko DisCos cannot proceed with the withdrawal or replacement of the Unistar meters unless they fully comply with NERC’s Order on Structured Replacement of Faulty and Obsolete End-user Customer Meters in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (Order No. NERC/246/2021).”
It noted that the order mandates that meter replacements must be prompt, without disrupting service and at no cost to the consumer; and ensuring that consumers are not subjected to estimated billing due to delayed installations.
“The FCCPC’s position remains clear: non-compliance with these directives by Ikeja and Eko DisCos will not be tolerated. Any breach of this directive will attract stiff penalties in line with the provisions of existing consumer protection laws,” it said.
FCCPC advised consumers to call its phone line on 08119877785 “should they encounter any attempts by Ikeja or Eko DisCos to disobey this directive.”
The organisation clarified that contrary to recent rumours, the approval of new meter prices by NERC has no connection with the proposed replacement of Unistar meters by IKEDC and EKEDC.
“The planned replacement has been invalidated by both the FCCPC and NERC, and there is no indication that the affected DisCos have breached our directives,” it declared, reaffirming its unwavering “commitment to safeguarding the rights of Nigerian consumers against unfair practices by service providers.”
