The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission has clarified that not all electricity meters currently being installed across the country are free, as it sought to address growing confusion over the Federal Government’s metering programmes and recent warnings against illegal charges by electricity distribution companies.
The Chairman of NERC, Musiliu Oseni, made the clarification on Saturday during a radio chat with Adeola Samuel-Ilori on Fresh FM, explaining that meters provided under government-funded initiatives are free at the point of installation, while other options still exist for customers who are unable or unwilling to wait.
Oseni said meters supplied under the Distribution Sector Recovery Programme, known as DISREP, are fully funded by the Federal Government and must be provided to customers at no cost, but those who felt the deployment was taking too long could pay for the product under the MAP scheme.
“The meter provided by the government is 100 per cent free. The DISREP meter is free because it is paid for by the government.
The DisCos have been rolling it out. Of course, they will pay the money back, but the loan comes at a very minimal interest rate. So, through the tariff, DisCos are not going to charge customers because of the meter. They are to provide it free of charge to the customers, and that is what the minister and the DG of BPE actually meant. And it is 100 per cent free,” Oseni said.
He stressed that electricity distribution companies are prohibited from demanding any payment from customers for meters deployed under the programme, noting that the cost recovery mechanism does not involve upfront charges.
“If you get the free meter, you are not to be paid anything. Ideally, you are meant to pay for the cost of the meter given to you through the tariffs. So, no DisCo is allowed to collect money from customers because of a DISREP meter.”
