…The electricity regulator recently fined eleven DisCos N10.5 billion for non-compliance with the capping of estimated bills for unmetered customers.
MON, FEB 12 2024-theGBJournal|The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) have asked the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to consider even stronger measures against electricity distribution comanies DisCos for non-compliance with the capping of estimated bills for unmetered customers.
”This could include increased financial penalties, stricter enforcement mechanisms, and even the revocation of operating licenses for persistent offenders,” FCCPC said.
The electricity regulator recently fined eleven DisCos N10.5 billion for non-compliance with the capping of estimated bills for unmetered customers.
FCCPC hails the ”decisive measure”, and says it aligns with it’s mandate outlined in the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, particularly Section 17 (s), which empowers the Commission to protect consumers from obnoxious practices or unscrupulous exploitation by companies, firms, trade associations or individuals, and to demand redress on their behalf.
”We stand in solidarity with NERC in its commitment to safeguard unmetered customers from arbitrary billing by DisCos,” FCCPC said in a statement today.
The capping regulation was a significant step towards ensuring fairer treatment for those without meters, and the FCCPC says it fully supports its enforcement.
According to the FCCPC, its existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NERC aims to ensure more effective protection for electricity consumers through information sharing, joint investigations, and coordinated enforcement actions.
The Commission believes that fundamental reforms are necessary to address the systemic challenges facing the sector, including metering gaps, billing malpractices, and inadequate customer service.
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