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The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), an independent regulatory body with authority for the regulation of the electric power industry in the country has said the various electricity distribution company in the country must notify consumers in writing before attempting to disconnect their power supply.
This was made known in a statement recently released and signed by the acting Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Commission, Dr.Anthony Akah.
The commission advised consumers (especially new) to follow due process before connecting to a source.
“All new electricity connections must be done strictly on the basis of metering before connection. That is, no new customer should be connected without meter first being installed.
A customer who elects to procure meter under the Credited Advance Payment for Metering Implementation (CAPMI) Scheme must be metered within 60 days, after which the customer will neither be billed nor disconnected by the electricity distribution company”.
Following reports of overestimated bills by the various DISCOs, NERC said all electricity consumers have right to a transparent billing system while also advocating for a formal notification process before consumers are disconnected from electricity source.
“It is the customer’s right to transparent electricity billing. Unmetered customers should be issued with electricity bills strictly based on NERC’s estimated billing methodology.
It is the customer’s right to be notified in writing ahead of disconnection of electricity service by the electricity distribution company serving the customer in line with NERC’s guidelines”.
The commission also said consumers have right to investigations arising from service interruptions. It stated clearly that consumers do not have business buying or replacing transformers, electricity poles, etc.
“It is the customer’s right to prompt investigation of complaints arising from the customer’s electricity service disruption.
It is not the responsibility of electricity customer or community to buy, replace or repair electricity transformers, poles and related equipment used in supply of electricity”.
The statement states further: “It is the customer’s right to contest any electricity bill. Any unmetered customer who is disputing his or her estimated bill has the right not to pay the disputed bill, but pay only the last undisputed bill as the contested bill go through the dispute resolution process of NERC.
All complaints on your electricity supply and other billing issues are to be sent to your nearest business unit of the electricity company serving your premises. If your complaint is not satisfactorily addressed, you can forward your complaint to the NERC Forum Office within the coverage area of your electricity distribution company. Customers also have the right to appeal the decision of the forum at the NERC headquarters in Abuja”.
The commission however warned consumers to regularly pay their bills and avoid meter by-pass or stealing of electricity and protect power infrastructure from being vandalized.