The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has urged the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to consider imposing harsher penalties on Electricity Distribution Companies (DisCos) found in violation of regulations.
In a statement released on Monday and signed by the Commission’s acting Executive Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, the FCCPC praised NERC for taking action against eleven DisCos for failing to comply with the capping of estimated bills for customers without meters.
The FCCPC emphasized that such measures are in line with its mandate outlined in the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) 2018, particularly Section 17 (s), which empowers the Commission to protect consumers from unfair practices and demand redress on their behalf.
Expressing solidarity with NERC’s commitment to protecting unmetered customers, the FCCPC advocated for even stricter measures to deter future violations, including higher fines, enhanced enforcement mechanisms, and potential license revocation for repeat offenders.
Furthermore, the FCCPC reiterated its dedication to advocating for improved conditions for electricity consumers in Nigeria. Alongside addressing consumer complaints, the Commission plans to continue organizing electricity consumer forums nationwide, providing a platform for consumers to voice concerns and receive prompt responses and solutions from DisCos and regulators, including the FCCPC.
Highlighting its existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NERC, the FCCPC stressed the importance of collaborative efforts in ensuring effective protection for electricity consumers through information sharing, joint investigations, and coordinated enforcement actions.
The Commission also underscored the need for fundamental reforms in the electricity sector to tackle systemic challenges such as metering gaps, billing irregularities, and inadequate customer service. Encouraging affected consumers to lodge complaints with their respective DisCos and escalate unresolved issues to NERC or the FCCPC, the Commission pledged to investigate all legitimate complaints and secure redress for consumers.
