The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has advised electricity consumers in the country to stop buying,replacing or repairing transformers, poles, cables and related items used in power supply.
The Commissioner, Operations of the commission, Dr. Adamu Abdullahi, who gave the advice in Benin-city, Edo State capital, at the opening of the commission’s four-day electricity consumers complaints’ resolution platform, said it was not their responsibility to do so.
Abdullahi also picked holes in the disconnection of consumers’ lines without notice, outrageous/crazy bills, non-supply of pre-paid meters already paid for, and the disregard for regulations, among other complaints by electricity consumers in the country.
He said: “Electricity consumers in Nigeria have the right to be properly-installed with functional meters. Payment for meters shall not be made if meters are not available. The Meter Asset Provider (MAP) shall install the meters at the premises of the customers within 10 working days of payment.
“Unmetered customers shall not experience any cost increase, beyond what is chargeable to metered customers in the same area. Customers have the right to contest bills and withhold payment of disputed bills.”
Speaking, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC), Mrs. Funke Osibodu,maintained that officials of the company were trying their best to make their customers in the franchise states of Edo, Delta, Ondo and Ekiti happy by quickly resolving issues.
Osibodu, who was represented by the company’s Chief State Head for Edo, Mr. Abel Enechaziam, stated that she was aware of limited power supply and inadequate metering, which she said should not be blamed on the electricity Distribution Companies (Discos), stressing that BEDC was always ready to listen to the consumers’ complaints with quick actions being taken.
She also emphasized that there was inadequate supply of meters by NERC, pointing out that Discos across Nigeria were facing challenges from the generation and transmission of power, but expressed optimism that NERC would soon be able to resolve those hiccups.