The House, however, mandated an ad hoc to ensure implementation and report back in six weeks for further legislative action.
The House resolution was a sequel to a motion sponsored by Honourable Adedapo Adeshina entitled, “Need to Curb Excessive Electricity Charges Being Levied on Consumers by Distribution Companies (DISCOs), Through Prepaid Meters.”
While moving the motion, the lawmaker said that the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), introduced the electronic prepaid meters in 2007 to enable consumers to have value for money they are paying for services.
According to him, “the unbundling of PHCN in 2013 led to the emergence of eleven (11) Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs), and six (6) Electricity Generating Companies (GENCOs).
“The first set of prepaid meters installed at residential houses by the defunct PHCN which were inherited by the Distribution Companies (DISCOs), satisfied the yearnings of consumers.
“Recalls that in June 2016, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), issued a directive to Distribution Companies that all customers must be metered by November 30, 2016, but the deadline was later extended to March 1, 2017, after consideration of appeals from the Distribution Companies.
“Observes that the Distribution Companies, in an effort to meet up with the deadline, commenced installation of new set of prepaid meters which do not satisfy the expectations of electricity consumers in the country who are now groaning over the rate at which the newly installed MOJEC prepaid meters gobble up their units when compared to the old prepaid meters installed by the defunct PHCN.
“Aware that many consumers across the country have paid for the prepaid meters for a long period of time, but were yet to be metered by the Distribution Companies, thereby subjecting them to outrageous estimated billing regime,” he stated.
The Speaker, Honourable Yakubu Dogara put the motion to voice vote and was supported by the majority of members on the floor.
and then