The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has issued a strong warning to Ikeja and Eko Electricity Distribution Companies (IKEDC and EKEDC) to desist from any unauthorized activities regarding the replacement of Unistar meters. This directive follows concerns over potential non-compliance with established regulations, emphasizing that any violations will attract severe penalties under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018.
In a press release, the FCCPC reaffirmed that its directive to halt all activities related to the planned meter replacement remains in full force. It also clarified that the approval of new meter prices by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has no bearing on the Unistar meter replacement initiative, which has been invalidated by both NERC and the FCCPC.
Compliance with Meter Replacement Regulations
The Commission stressed that Ikeja and Eko DisCos must strictly adhere to NERC’s Order on Structured Replacement of Faulty and Obsolete End-user Customer Meters (Order No. NERC/246/2021). The order mandates:
Timely replacement of faulty or obsolete meters to avoid service disruptions.
Free replacement for consumers without imposing any costs.
Prevention of estimated billing practices due to delays in meter installations.
The FCCPC noted that any attempt to bypass these regulations constitutes a direct violation of consumer rights and will trigger substantial consequences under existing consumer protection laws.
Consumers Advised to Remain Vigilant
The FCCPC has urged consumers to report any attempts by IKEDC or EKEDC to contravene these directives by contacting the Commission’s dedicated electricity helpline at 08119877785.
“The FCCPC remains steadfast in its mission to protect Nigerian consumers from exploitative practices,” said Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs at the FCCPC. “We will not tolerate any action that undermines the rights and trust of electricity consumers.”
This development underscores the FCCPC’s commitment to ensuring that service providers in Nigeria comply with regulatory guidelines, prioritizing fairness and transparency in their dealings with consumers.
