Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, has waded into the lingering controversy over pre-paid metres as the Commission has directed Electricity Distribution Companies, DISCOs, to refund electricity consumers for pre-paid metres purchased under the Meter Asset Provider (MAP) scheme.
The directive according to the commission, is in compliance with the national mass metering regulations 2021.
Chairman of the Commission, Sanusi Garba; and Commissioner, Legal, Licensing & Compliance, Dafe Akpeneye; who signed the order marked NERC/2023/001, pegged the usefulness of pre-paid metres at 10 years.
This is coming on the heels of the recent upward review of the prices of the single-phase and three-phase meter which increased to N81,975.16 from N58,661.6, and N143,836.10 from N109,684.36 respectively.
The new directive entitled: “Order on the Reimbursement Meter Cost” advised DISCOs to file monthly reports with NERC containing a breakdown of the total monetary value of refunds to customers through energy credit in accordance with the Commission’s prescribed template.
It read in part: “The Meter Asset Provider and National Mass Metering Regulations, 2021 (the Regulations) Section 8(f) provides that Distribution Licensees are obligated to reimburse customers who pay for meters under the MAP framework through equal installments of energy credits, at the time of vending, with the cost of the meter amortised over a maximum period of 36 months.
“Section 24(1) (b) of the Regulations provides that where a Customer elects to make upfront payment for meters under these regulations, the cost of the meter shall be refunded through energy credits by the distribution licensee.
“The reimbursement schedules shall be as approved by the commission, having regard to an evaluation of the financial standing of the distribution licensee. This provision also applies to upfront payment made by customers upon commencement of the MAP framework in 2018.
“The Commission conducted an evaluation of the financial standing of the DISCOs which resulted in a review of the hitherto 36-months reimbursement period.”
