Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, FCCPC, has issued a stern warning to Ikeja and Eko Electricity Distribution Companies, IKEDC and EKEDC, over attempts to flout its directive to cease the planned replacement of obsolete Unistar meters to customers.
The Commission emphasized that any violation of this order will result in significant legal consequences under the provisions of sections 17(j), (l) (s), 116 (2), 124, 125, 138 and 155 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, FCCPA, 2018.
FCCPC Director, Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, said the replacement of Unistar meters by the two distribution companies was invalidated by both the FCCPC and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, NERC, and has no connection to the newly approved meter prices.
The FCCPC noted that Ikeja and Eko DisCos are only authorized to replace faulty meters in line with NERC’s Order number NERC/246/2021, which mandates that replacements be conducted promptly, without service disruptions, and at no cost to consumers.
Ijagwu in a statement titled, “Obsolete Meters: Violation of Consumers Rights Will Have Stiff Consequences,” urged electricity consumers who encounter any efforts by IKEDC or EKEDC to disregard the directive to report the violation by calling the FCCPC’s dedicated electricity helpline at 08119877785.
The statement reads in part, “The order mandates that meter replacements must be prompt, without disrupting service and at no cost to the consumer; and ensuring that consumers are not subjected to estimated billing due to delayed installations.
“The FCCPC’s position remains clear: non-compliance with these directives by Ikeja and Eko DisCos will not be tolerated. Any breach of this directive will attract stiff penalties in line with the provisions of existing consumer protection laws.
“The directive remains in full force, and any attempt by these DisCos to proceed in contravention of it will attract severe consequences.
“Contrary to recent rumours, the approval of new meter prices by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has no connection with the proposed replacement of Unistar meters by IKEDC and EKEDC.
“The planned replacement has been invalidated by both the FCCPC and NERC, and there is no indication that the affected DisCos have breached our directives.
“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 Faulty and Obsolete End-user Customer Meters in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (Order No. NERC/246/2021).”
