Any Nigerian Who By-Passes Metre Will Be Fined N115,000 – Electricity Commission

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has threatened to fine customers who engage in unauthorised access to electricity, tampering and by-passing of meters between N50,000 and N115,000.
The Commission explained that such fine will take care of administrative charges, reconnection charges and loss of revenue charges.
The Commissioner for Consumer Affairs in the NERC, Dr Moses Arigu, who spoke today, October 21, at a Discos and Customers Care Forum in Lagos, directed Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and Meter Assets Providers (MAPs) to intensify effort in supplying meters to electricity consumers within their operational areas.
Dr. Arigu said that the goal of NERC was to ensure that all electricity consumers in the country are metered to curb arbitrary estimated billings by the Discos, and also increase revenue of the electricity value chain.
He said that electricity customers across the country could either pay fully for their meters or pay in instalments for a period of 10 years.
“It is the Discos that introduced MAPs to the regulatory authority; hence the effectiveness of the MAPs remains their responsibility.
“A customer does not have contract with the MAPs, it is the responsibility of the Disco to ensure that all customers are metered.
“Payment for the meter is either through upfront payment or installment payment of up to 10 years.”
Dr. Arigu said that the forum was initiated to hear complaints from customers regarding the MAPs and how they could be addressed, toward fast-tracking the metering processes.
Two of the customers, Alhaji Bola Awosika, on the Ikeja Electric Distribution Company network, and Mr Uche Ejide, on the Eko Electric Distribution Company network, said they had paid for their meters for months but were still waiting for installation.
They urged NERC to compel the Discos and MAPs to expedite action on the process due to the outrageous monthly bills being given to consumers.
Also, Adeola Samuel-Ilori, National Coordinator, Electricity Consumer Protection Forum, expressed concern about the E-billing introduced by the Discos, stressing that it violates the provisions of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act.