The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has updated its rules/regulations regarding electricity distribution/disconnection, with the aim of protecting both the customer and the electricity distribution companies (DisCos), which is in charge of providing power to all customers in Nigeria.
Some of the new rules laid out in its 2023 Customer Protection Regulations bother on the connection of new meters as well as the number of days provided before a customer is disconnected after an electricity bill has been served.
The rules include;
New Connection Metering
If the customer requires an electricity connection, he/she is to provide all the connection materials according to the standards provided by the distribution company where the customer resides. The distribution company is also responsible for processing the connection from the point of supply to the metering point within 48hrs.
However, the distribution company will provide the meter as well as metering accessories for the connection to ensure proper billing. The DisCos are not permitted to charge a customer for survey, inspection, testing, and commission of electricity supply to the premises.
But the DisCos have the right to refuse a customer connection to the electricity supply if they fail to provide an acceptable means of identification or refuse to pay the security deposit requested by DisCos.
Electricity Disconnection
The DisCo is also required to disconnect the electricity supply to a customer’s premises if there is a default in payment by the specified payment date which must be clearly stated on the bill and should be delivered physically, by electronic mail or by text message.
Also, the payment should be made within 10 days of bill delivery to the customer. The period between the payment date and the date of the scheduled disconnection for nonpayment should not be less than 2 working days.
However, if a customer has a pre-existing payment arrangement with the DisCo. In a case where a life support is in use, the DisCos cannot disconnect the customer and if there is a disconnection, the DisCo will compensate the customer with energy credits, for each day the disconnection lasts.
Final Meter Reading
If a prepaid meter customer is moving out or relocating, the electricity distribution company (DisCo) should be called for a final meter reading to check for outstanding payments. If the DisCo is, however, unable to access the meter due to the customer’s fault, the DisCo will disconnect the electricity supply and provide a final bill. The customer will be held responsible for paying the debt, and if DisCos is unable to recover the debt from the customer. The debt would not be transferred to a new occupant if the defaulting customer relocates.
According to an electricity service charter, which was released in April 2023 by the NERC, it states that all the electricity consumers who are yet to be metered, have the right to transparent billing and should be billed based on capping estimates.
The charter also states that unmetered consumers should also be notified ahead of any plans to disconnect them from the electricity service. Unmetered customers also have the right to file complaints about their electricity bills and DisCos must investigate such complaints. DisCos should also refund consumers who have been overbilled.
