DisCos suspends Unistar meter phase-out due to FCCPC directive – Business – The Guardian Nigeria News

Eko and Ikeja Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) said they are maintaining the status quo on their plans to phase out Unistar meters, amid directives from the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to suspend any replacement measure .

The FCCPC has issued a directive to DisCos to delay meter replacements to avoid potential disruptions and increased costs for customers already facing economic challenges.

The DisCos had announced that Unistar meters would be phased out today and urged customers to request new meters as Unistar meters are no longer compatible with the new STS 2.0 metering system.

However, citing non-compliance with the order of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), the Federal Government has directed the Ikeja Electricity and Eko Electricity discotheques to immediately stop the replacement of Unistar-prepared meters delivered today are invoiced.

FCCPC has also directed DisCos to halt the replacement process, which they say stems from the DisCos’ non-compliance with the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) order on structured replacement of defective and outdated end-user customer meters in the Nigerian electricity supply industry (NESI).

The FCCPC’s guidance came amid growing consumer concerns that the phaseout could increase measurement discrepancies and lead to more cases of estimated billing.

NERC and the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) endorsed the FCCPC’s position on halting the replacement of Unistar prepaid meters.
In a new development from the FCCPC, it stated that its directive remains in full force and effect, and any attempt by the two DisCos to act contrary to it will face serious consequences.

The commission disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement signed by its Director, Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, stressing that its position remains clear as non-compliance with these guidelines by Ikeja and Eko DisCos will not be tolerated and any breach of this directive will be tolerated. carry strict penalties, in accordance with the provisions of existing consumer protection legislation.

“It is essential to clarify that Ikeja and Eko DisCos cannot proceed with the withdrawal or replacement of the Unistar meters unless they fully comply with NERC’s Order on Structured Replacement of Defecty and Obsolete End-user Customer Meters in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (Order No. NERC/246/2021).

“The order requires meter replacements to be done quickly, without disrupting service and at no cost to consumers; and ensuring that consumers are not subject to estimated bills due to delayed installations,” the report said.

EKEDC General Manager Corporate Communications, Babatunde Lasaki, told The Guardian that the DisCo was adhering to the regulator to maintain the status quo for the time being.

In response to the FCCPC’s statement about ignoring the directive, Lasaki claimed that NERC is their regulator; hence, their actions and operations are guided by the rules and regulations of the commission.

“The DisCos are working with our regulators and other parties to reach an amicable solution for all involved,” he said. FCCPC mentioned that contrary to recent speculation, the approval of new meter prices by NERC is not related to the proposed replacement of Unistar meters by IKEDC and EKEDC.

It added that the planned replacement has been declared invalid by both the FCCPC and the NERC, and that there is no evidence that the affected DisCos have violated their guidelines.

Also, the General Manager, Corporate Communications at Ikeja Electric, Kingsley Okotie, told The Guardian that they are also adhering to the regulator’s position on the phase-out as they are not doing otherwise.

“The regulatory position on this issue is clear and as such, Ikeja Electric, as a responsible organization operating within the ambit of the law, will do no differently but rather continue to work with our industry regulator (NERC) and other critical stakeholders in the sector. to address gray areas as we move forward,” he said.