FCCPC orders Ikeja, Eko DisCos to halt Unistar meter installation over Non-compliance 

This was disclosed in a statement posted via the Commission’s X page on Tuesday.

The Commission also urged electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) to engage with energy consumers before classifying them into bands and to strictly adhere to industry regulations when billing unmetered consumers.

The directive was issued by FCCPC’s Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Tunji Bello, at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the FCCPC headquarters in Abuja.

Representatives from NERC, the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), various electricity distribution companies (DISCOs), and Unistar Hitech Systems Limited attended the meeting, which aimed to address pressing metering issues affecting Nigerian consumers.

According to the statement, Bello highlighted significant challenges facing electricity consumers, including billing inaccuracies and inadequate customer care.

“The FCCPC’s directive to discontinue the replacement process stems from the DISCOs’ non-compliance with NERC’s Order on Structured Replacement of Faulty and Obsolete End-user Customer Meters in the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry. Both NERC and NEMSA have endorsed the FCCPC’s stance on this issue,” the statement reads.

“Citing non-compliance with NERC’s order, FCCPC directed Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) and Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDP) to immediately halt their replacement of Unistar prepaid meters,” the statement continued.

Mr. Bello further noted that systemic inefficiencies and a culture of impunity have led to the routine exploitation of consumers.

“Mr. Bello stressed that FCCPC will enforce strict compliance with these regulatory requirements to protect consumers from arbitrary charges and estimated billing,” the statement added.

“Furthermore, DISCOs are prohibited from placing customers on estimated billing due to delays in meter replacement, as new meters must be installed immediately after removing any faulty or obsolete unit,” the statement concluded.

The FCCPC is a body established by law to protect the rights of companies and consumers.