Yemisi Izuora
PowerUp Nigeria, a consumer pressure group has accused the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) of insensitivity of alleged deliberate action of Distribution companies not to meter consumers.
The group maintained that the Discos have opted for estimated billing to as a way to recoup investment.
Converner of the PowerUp Nigeria, Adetayo Adegbemle therefore urged the NERC to deregulate the Metering Market so that investors and entrepreneurs can put in the required finance
Adegbemle also proposed to the Commission the need to appoint and or License Metering Companies to take off the huge investment of Meter inventory from the Discos who are apparently struggling.
The group also sought the amendment of the regulations to allow Consumers buy their own meters, to be installed by the Discos, or appointed installers.
According to him, government should, “make and release meter specifications, and setup meter testing laboratories to ascertain the qualities of Meters in circulation.
Also in the interim, government should ensure that an audit of all consumers is taken by the Discos, and the approved specification for Estimated Billing according to the EPSR Act is followed to the letter.
“Creating a Metering Market would ensure more participation and enlarge the Power Market Ecosystem. It is unfortunate however that heads of the Discos I have listened to have been harping for increase in tariffs, but this is definitely not the primary objective as Consumers are not satisfied and cannot see any visible improvement, even after the Discos have taken over’ Adegbimle noted.
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