The Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), faulted non-compliance by meter manufacturers, suppliers and DisCos to ensure that only certified electricity meters with crimp seal and test label by its National Meter Test Stations (NMTS) are deployed.
Peter Ewesor,the Managing Director and Chief Electrical Inspector of the Federation, Peter Ewesor,who disclosed this in Abuja said the refusal of meter manufacturers, suppliers and DisCos to comply with technical requirements and specifications of electricity meters as specified by Nigeria Metering Code Version 02 (NMC V 02), the Nigerian Electricity Smart Metering Regulation and other extant regulations for deployment and use in Nigeria is a bottleneck that needs to be addressed in the sector.
He implored electricity consumers in the country to reject meters that are not duly tested and certified by NEMSA.
He said: “Despite the federal government’s efforts geared towards bridging the metering Gap in Nigeria, there are challenges that stand as a bottleneck preventing its urgent realisation.
“Complaint by some metered customers on deliberate direct connection by-passing their electricity meters leading to estimated billing imposed on them by some DisCos. These consumers alleged that the DisCos would come to their premises saying that their meters are faulty and without any formal information, they will be connected directly and switch them back to estimated billing.”
He also expressed dissatisfaction over refusal of some consumers to accept smart meters due to perceived distrust that Distribution Companies (DisCos) may have calibrated the units to read faster.
