NERC frowns on prevalent estimated billing by DisCos

Electricity industry regulator, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), has frowned at the level of meter roll out initiative of electricity distribution companies (Discos) as it identifies that in every 10 users of grid generated electricity supplied by the 11 electricity distribution companies (Discos) in Nigeria, six of them have remained unmetered.

The NERC says the situation thus makes the practice of estimated billings by the Discos very prevalent.

The regulator also indicated that it was about to introduce a regulation to cap estimated bills given every month to consumers by the Discos.

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It equally noted that in the regulation, which it has asked for stakeholders’ input, consumers who reject meters installed at their premises by Discos would be cut off from electricity supplies.

In the consultation paper on capping of estimated bills, which NERC posted on its website, the commission said the 11 Discos with a customer base of 8,292,840, have been able to provide meters for just 3,591,168, while 4,701,672 have been unmetered as at August 2018.