Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) are facing increased scrutiny over their slow pace of meter deployment and poor refund performance, as the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) disclosed that between 600,000 and 700,000 electricity meters are currently available for nationwide installation.
Speaking at the 4th Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI) Stakeholders Meeting in Abuja, NERC Vice Chairman, Dr Musiliu Oseni, challenged the DisCos to urgently scale up their metering drive.
“The government has invested, so the DisCos need to step up their efforts on publicity and installation speed,” Oseni said.
The remarks were contained in a statement posted on the Commission’s official X handle. The meeting also marked Oseni’s final NESI stakeholders’ session in his capacity as vice chairman of the Commission.
Dr Oseni expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of customer refunds by some DisCos and warned that financial sanctions would be imposed on defaulting operators.
Proposing stricter enforcement measures, he said customers’ refunds could be deducted directly from the DisCos’ operational funds at the national wholesale market level.
“You still have your Operational Expenditure (OPEX) at the national wholesale market level. If you refuse to refund customers, that money can be withheld from your OPEX until you have done so,” he stated.
The NERC vice chairman further directed that strict timelines be issued immediately to compel compliance and ensure accountability in the metering and refund processes across the power sector.
