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In exercise of the powers conferred upon it by Section 32(1)(d) & (2)(c) of the Electric Power Sector Reform Act and of all other powers enabling it in that behalf, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission hereby gives notice of the proposed establishment of a methodology for Estimated Billing and Connection Fees, and modalities for disclosure of Information from the Distribution Companies and to Customers.
Estimated Billing is a standard practice used in many countries around the world to bill electricity consumers where meter readings cannot be obtained in a particular month. In normal practice, electricity bills are expected to be based on a regular monthly meter reading but if for any reason whatsoever a meter is not read, customers can be provided with estimated bills based on previous electricity usage until a meter reading is obtained. In addition, those customers that do not have a meter installed in their premises are billed based on estimates pending the installation of a meter.
The same principle is applied in Nigeria. A huge percentage of customers are being billed based on estimates. This is considered by some Nigerians as illegal and unacceptable. The lack of a clear methodology for estimated billing also made it quite unpopular as the consumers are oblivious of the methods and procedures applied by the distribution companies to compute their monthly bills.
Prior to the review of the MYTO, Customers have been charged varied amounts of money in lieu of Connection Fees by the Discos. This fee as it was formally constituted included the cost of Meters which NERC has now factored into the MYTO 2. NERC in a bid to check the excesses of the Distribution Companies has developed a methodology for Connection Fees which shall be applicable to all Distribution Companies. Click here to download the developed Connection Methodology.
NERC has also realized that there is a dearth of communication between the Distribution Companies and the Customers and has also developed a Regulation on the duty of the Distribution Companies to disclose information to the Customers about power outages and their obligations to the Customers
Accordingly, the Commission has developed draft Regulations and Methodologies to determine how the Distribution Companies should estimate metered consumers, whose meter reading cannot be obtained for any reason or unmetered consumers; Determine Connection Fees for new connections and establish Guidelines for Disclosure of information.
Comments and observations are hereby invited from all stakeholders and members of the public on the methodology and draft regulation. The relevant document can be downloaded by clicking here.
Notice is hereby given to the general public to send in their comments to the Commission within 30 days of this publication to:
The Chairman
The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission
Adamawa Plaza
Plot 1099, First Avenue, Off Shehu Shagari Way
Central Business District
P.M.B. 136, Garki
Abuja, F.C.T.
Or
By e-mail: info@nercng,org
For further information, please contact:
Mr. Chinedum Ukabiala –
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or Dr. Haliru Dikko -
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