Amidst tension among electricity consumers on the plan by the power distribution companies, Discos to phase out Unistar meters, the NERC says the plan must be put on hold for now.
The Eko Electricity Distribution Company, EKEDC, recently announced to customers that UNISTAR meters will be phased out by November 14, 2024, urging customers to apply for new meters to avoid being switched to postpaid billing.
The NERC however said the discos must wait for further directive from the government, saying the commission wants to ensure that the interests of Nigerians are well protected.
According to The Punch, the NERC chairman Musiliu Oseni said there is no official directive yet on the plan by the discos to phase out the Unistar meters, saying the power to do so rests with the discos, but that the government has the responsibility to make sure that the interests of Nigerians are well served.
For instance, the NERC vice chairman said electricity consumers will not be made to pay for new meters when the old ones are eventually phased out, saying the cost of replacement should be borne by the discos.
This, Oseni said, can be done by the discos through special arrangement with consumers, including the pay-and-be reimbursed-later.
He said the government wants to ensure that the meter replacement process did to lead to power disruptions for consumers, stressing that discos must not customers are not placed on estimated billings during the transition period.
“Operationally, if they say those meters are not upgradable, they can decide to phase them out. But as they remove the meters, based on the rule, they must replace them. It is the responsibility of the Discos to replace them,” he said.
He emphasised that during the phase-out process, no customer should be placed on estimated billing or be denied access to electricity.
He pointed out that if customers were asked to purchase meters under the MAP framework, Discos must provide a clear mechanism for refunds, as they are obligated to refund the customers.
“It’s a win-win for both sides because customers will be frustrated if it gets to a point that they want to vend and the meter is rejected. For Discos to remove the meter, they must make sure a mechanism for replacement happens, either vendor financing, Disco financing, or if it is MAP (Meter Asset Provider) to be funded by the customer; but the customer must be aware that they would be refunded,” he emphasised.
EKEDC had urged customers to promptly change their Unistar meters to prevent any disruption in their billing system and to enjoy the continued benefits of prepaid metering.
“UNISTAR meters are not compatible with the new STS 2.0 system.
Kindly apply for a new meter to avoid being moved to postpaid,” the dicsco said in a message to customers.
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