The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) on Monday expressed support for the decision of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) taken against 11 Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) for estimated bills capping non-compliance, calling for stricter penalties against DisCos.
The NERC had last week imposed a N6 billion penalty on the 11 DisCos over the non-compliance with mandatory capping of estimated billing of unmetered customers.
The Acting Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, in a statement on Monday, advised the NERC to consider imposing stricter punitive measures against any erring DisCo in order to prevent future violations.
According to him, the stricter punishments could involve increased financial penalties, stricter enforcement mechanisms and, in extreme cases, the revocation of operating licences for recalcitrant offenders.
He stated: “We stand in solidarity with NERC in its commitment to safeguard unmetered customers from arbitrary billing by DisCos.
“The capping regulation was a significant step towards ensuring fairer treatment for those without meters, and the FCCPC fully supports its enforcement.
“The FCCPC reiterates its unwavering commitment to ensuring a better deal for electricity consumers in Nigeria.
“Apart from its routine resolution of electricity consumer complaints, the commission will continue to organise electricity consumer platforms across the country.
“These platforms have provided invaluable opportunities for consumers to voice their complaints and receive instant responses and redress from DisCos and regulators, including the FCCPC”, Abdullahi added.
It would be recalled that in February 2020, the NERC ordered a capping system on estimated billing for energy companies in the country with a view to regulating the electricity consumption charges imposed on unmetered customers across the country.
