NERC Urges Customers To Pay For Meters

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has advised that Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) customers willing to purchase meters should go ahead and do so.

Dr Sam Amadi, the Chairman of Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) speaking to reporters in Abuja recently said that the willing customers could make advance payment to the distribution companies of their choice.

This is contrary to earlier pronouncement by the  NERC in December when it said that het prepaid meters being distributed to users remains free of charge.

In a recent official letter, NERC stated that the consumers were not required to pay for collection of meters, as the cost had already been reflected in the electricity tariff.

It added that there should not be any exchange of monies between customers and Power Holding Company of Nigerian (PHCN). Amadi however told newsmen that the commission would soon organise a public hearing on how long customers would have to wait before they got their meters.

He said that the Commission would sanction (DISCO) those who collected money from customers and did not provide the meters.

Amadi also said that the Commission would put measures in place to monitor the operation of the Vendors who would supply and install the meters directly to users.

He said that the Commission would also work out modalities for payment of meters. The Chairman, Dr Sam Amadi, said that the public hearing would also look at how to protect the small and medium enterprises from high five charges and tariffs.

Ihuaewii Victor