Discos Distributing ‘Prepaid Meters That Read Too Fast’ – TCN
Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has confirmed reports that some Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) are allegedly distributing non-compliant prepaid meters that read too fast, thereby causing consumers to pay exorbitant electricity bills.
The TCN said it had over time received increased complaints of how DisCos have been installing the non-compliant meters that zap consumers’ units faster than regular meters.
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The act, according to the TCN, will attract severe sanctions on the distribution companies if continued.
“It has come to our attention at the market operations that some Discos are increasingly getting involved in the installation of non-compliant meters. We intend to notify the commission (Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission) of these defaulting Discos before appropriate sanctions are applied,” a report by Market Operator, an arm of the TCN, said.
Meanwhile, Chijioke James, President of the Electricity Consumers Association of Nigeria, has decried alleged maltreatment of electricity consumers by the DisCos.
“I’d raised this issue of non-compliant meters that are reading too fast in the past because many power users complained about this issue. It is important to state here that consumers pay for meters because they are tired of excuses. This is why they give the distribution companies loans in advance through the purchase of these meters,” he said
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“But this has caused double jeopardy for the Nigerian consumers because so many people have paid for meters and up until now, they have not been metered. Some of those who have been metered complain that the meters are of low quality and are reading too fast.
“Hundreds of consumers call this association from various states to also complain that there are no meters despite the fact that they’ve paid for the meters. This is not fair. The regulator of the sector is not firm. We cannot continue like this, which was why I recently urged the President to declare a national emergency in the power sector,” said James.
