Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Former Chairman/CEO, Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Dr Sam Amadi, has said that continued estimated billing of electricity consumers beyond three months is illegal.
The energy and law expert made the submission Thursday night while featuring as Guest Speaker on Ikengaonline townhall meeting.
Dr Amadi who spoke on the theme: “New Electricity Tariffs and the Power Crisis in Nigeria,” regretted that Distribution Companies (DISCOs), have continued to capitalise on the ignorance of the consumers to advance estimated bills, and get away with that due to weak regulations.
He explained that while it was not uncommon to always have unmetered consumers, it would be unconstitutional to bill them beyond three months based on estimation.
Dr Amadi further said estimated billing should be done with modulation based on certain indications and not exploitatively at the expense of consumers.
“Ideally, estimation should be done in a way that is based on sound indications, and not to exploit electricity consumers.
“The procedure in law is that an unmetered consumers can be given estimated bills for two months, then on the third months they should go and read the bill. They are supposed to read the post-paid meter every month.”
Frowning at outrageous billing of unmetered electricity consumers, the former NERC boss said, “estimated bill should be close to accuracy” based on verifiable history of energy consumption by the unmetered consumer.
Arguing that estimated billing should not go beyond certain number of hours of power supply, Dr Amadi urged electricity consumers to always visit NERC website so as to be able to resist exploitative billing.
Decrying the power crisis in Nigeria, Dr Amadi who cast doubts over Nigeria’s ability to generate over 6000 megawatts of electricity any time soon, seriously advocated quick alternatives through renewal energy.
He suggested renewal energy should be encouraged in local communities and hamlets to bridge the energy gap in the country.
Dr Amadi also regretted that poor and decaying infrastructure were part of the causes of loss of energy in the country.
“Some of the problem with our infrastructure is that they are old and dilapidated. We need to replace them. You cannot have light with weak infrastructure.”
Responding to a question on whether the alleged inadequate supply of gas to the Geometric Power Plant in Aba by the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC ltd, Amadi said It might not necessarily be an act of sabotage.
He explained that Geometric as a private company had a gas supply agreement with NNPC and that it was up to it to follow through.
Amadi urged Government to assist Geometric Power Plant to ensure it gets continued gas supply from NNPC.
